Fish Food - amount

[Coler]

I feed my fish twice a day for about a minute each time, I skip one day a week.

Trying to keep an eye on some individuals who don't feed as much as the more dominant fish. I feed New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula (which are little granules).

How many pellets minimum per day should a juvenile (1 inch - 1 1/2 inch) malawi be taking ?

I'm talking about a couple of auloncara and a yellow lab. Any advice experts ?

Thanks as always.

[clawlan]

generally the rule is as much as they can eat in about 2 minutes or so.

[Coler]

Thanks clawlan - what I'm getting at is how much that might be. I mean if they ate non-stop for two minutes that's a lot, if they zip in for a coupla pellets two or three times that's a little. I'm wondering that if I keep an eye on the lesser eaters how many pellets should I see 'em eat before I think "he's fine"; I only have 8 little guys in there - I can pretty much count what they eat.

[clawlan]

haha. it more of an art rather than a science. Experiment with amounts, watch them eat. You'll begin to get it as time goes on. This is something that I am still learning. Just dont fall into the trap of feeding them when they "look" hungry.

[Mgamer20o0]

yes its something you really have to watch your tank to figure it out. i feed my fish once a day. many people only feed them every other day.

[labowner]

I know exactly what you mean coler, when I first got my convict I needed to know how many pellets to give the guy. I didn't know if I should give him 4 or 40..he'll just keep eating till he falls over I'm sure. And I like feeding mine several times a day smaller amounts and he seems to enjoy the attention better that way instead of just once a day.

[Coler]

Thanks all - I figure that they're so wee right now they don't actually need all that much to keep going, so as long as they're all taking at least like 5 or so they should be ok