Feeding Gulf Toad Fish/Oyster Toad Fish

[ThatFishEnjoyer]

Hello, I recently obtained a pretty small orange Gulf Toadfish and was wondering how to feed him. I haven't been able to get him eating yet, and its been about 8 days. It's about 4 inches and I've tried Frozen Krill, Mysis, and Brine only once have I seen him strike at a piece of krill floating away, but have yet to see him actually eat one. I've also tried wiggling the food around him on tongs. I will try Ghost shrimp soon just to see if he'd take anything. I know They can go for longer periods of time without eating but I feel like I should've seen him take something by now. Anyone have any experience with these guys or any ideas on how to get him eating? Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Personally, I'd try live food (ghost/grass shrimp, guppies, or mollies) and if it doesn't eat those or struggles with them, then I'd try treating for internal parasites with Prazipro and Metroplex (or General Cure).

Maybe @Jay Hemdal would have some more thoughts though.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hello, I recently obtained a pretty small orange Gulf Toadfish and was wondering how to feed him. I haven't been able to get him eating yet, and its been about 8 days. It's about 4 inches and I've tried Frozen Krill, Mysis, and Brine only once have I seen him strike at a piece of krill floating away, but have yet to see him actually eat one. I've also tried wiggling the food around him on tongs. I will try Ghost shrimp soon just to see if he'd take anything. I know They can go for longer periods of time without eating but I feel like I should've seen him take something by now. Anyone have any experience with these guys or any ideas on how to get him eating? Any advice or ideas would be appreciated.

Does it stay out in the open like that, or does it have a place like a cave in which it can feel more secure?

Large krill or a silversides on a broomstraw should work - your tongs may have been too bulky and made it shy away.

 

[ThatFishEnjoyer]

Does it stay out in the open like that, or does it have a place like a cave in which it can feel more secure?

Large krill or a silversides on a broomstraw should work - your tongs may have been too bulky and made it shy away.

Does it stay out in the open like that, or does it have a place like a cave in which it can feel more secure?

Large krill or a silversides on a broomstraw should work - your tongs may have been too bulky and made it shy away.

It has made multiple caves. He was really only out on the first day. I'll Have to try the broom straw.

 

[littlefoxx]

Awe the little guy is cute! I got my lions to eat frozen when I got them chunky (LRS brand) and mixed garlic then tried to feed them. The smell enticed them to eat eventually. With my shy eel I put her food right at the opening of her burrow and eventually she came out to get it and I worked with her on the tongs. Maybe you can try some of those tricks for this cute little guy!

 

[Mickle]

Try feeding at night and by dropping the food infront of the hole its in, they are nocturnal

 

[Solo McReefer]

Looks like a predator

But, I have never seen that fish before

 

[ThatFishEnjoyer]

Does it stay out in the open like that, or does it have a place like a cave in which it can feel more secure?

Large krill or a silversides on a broomstraw should work - your tongs may have been too bulky and made it shy away.

It did end up working. He took the krill off the straw almost right away, thank you!

 

[McPuff]

Raw shrimp almost always gets a fish to eat. I had a "regular" oyster toadfish about 20 years ago and it was such a cool pet. They can grow fast if you feed them well.