My little fishes not getting enough food!! Pictures attached

[ClaudioAbbado]

Hey everyone,

In my 40 gallon tank I have 3 giant danios, 1 albino short-bodied male convict, and 6 small (1/2 to 3/4 inch long african cichlids). Everytime I feed the fishes flakes and cichlid sinking pellets, I always see 2 particular african cichlid not fast enough in getting the food. They are healthy as they are very active and fight for food, but they always seem to miss out on it as other bigger/faster fishes get it first.

So anyway to solve this? I don't have another tank to move the bigger fishes, and it will be such a pain to get those 2 cichlids out into a bucket just to feed them. Please HELP!

[Squeakfish]

Distract the big guys one one side of the tank, then drop food on the other side for the smaller ones.

[Reddog80p]

Try feeding smaller amounts in multiple spots.

[ClaudioAbbado]

I tried it, the 2 particular smaller fish is simply not quick enough, as other fishes in tank will get to the food in various spots quicker. Can my African Cichlids DIE from hunger?

[Hooked Newbie]

I tried it, the 2 particular smaller fish is simply not quick enough, as other fishes in tank will get to the food in various spots quicker. Can my African Cichlids DIE from hunger?

Yes, fish can die from hunger. A more pressing issue in my opinion (and maybe a reason for them not eating) is the difference between the requirements of the Africans and your other fish.

What are you water parameters? Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Gh / Kh...

[Rbishop]

Some more cover in there might help, but with your mix and the size difference involved, yhey most likely be very slow growing, if they make it.

[Reddog80p]

Good call Rb! A simple tank redecor and adding additional cover may allow your smaller slower fish to establish new territories. You can also try different types of food ie...sinking,floating,etc... If a cichlids hungry it should be able to get it's own food.

[Cathy G]

Try using a long tube, preferably not see through. PVC piping is perfect. Hover the bottom just above the surface and drop sinking pellets into the tube WHILE you are feeding flakes to the top feeders.

(Hubby has the same problem - feeding bottom feeding catfish in a rainbow tank)
:>)

[jm1212]

also try adding some more rockwork for some more caves in addition to moving everything around

[nano cichlids]

well ok lets starts with your convict is central american and looking at it, it seems pretty large for being a jelly bean convict, next your africans are from africa hence the name, the convict is must likely the alpha dog of the tank try some of the methods above