Adrian Tappin has an introduction to feeding rainbowfishes that applies to all freshwater fish: http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/
A lesson in underfeeding
- Thread starter brackishwannbe
- Start date
good site.
I'm guilty most the time.. of just throwing in a frozen cube of bloodworms or brine shrimp into my tank. Its fun to watch them nibble at the frozen cube until it thaws and then catches the current and FOOOSH, there are brine shrimp flying all over the tank, the fish goes nuts trying to catch them in the current, except the cories they just eat up whats fallen to the floor.
I'm guilty most the time.. of just throwing in a frozen cube of bloodworms or brine shrimp into my tank. Its fun to watch them nibble at the frozen cube until it thaws and then catches the current and FOOOSH, there are brine shrimp flying all over the tank, the fish goes nuts trying to catch them in the current, except the cories they just eat up whats fallen to the floor.
Wetman, note that Tappin says "Ideally, rainbowfishes should be fed small amounts 4 or 5 times per day" (I'm not saying that is practical or necessary).
brackishwannbe, did you really mean nitrities or nitrates? If the nitrites in an established tank aren't zero, it indicates a problem with the biofiltraion.
Jared
brackishwannbe, did you really mean nitrities or nitrates? If the nitrites in an established tank aren't zero, it indicates a problem with the biofiltraion.
Jared
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It was the nitrites at 0.0, but the water in the test tube was slighty cloudy. It is gone now, must have just been suspended particles.
" This is because in the wild, fish constantly browse and nibble throughout the day, . . .
As for overfeeding, if you have a school of clown loaches and corys in a community then nothing goes to waste!
I think once you start observing feeding behaviour, then you shouldn't have any problems with leftover food causing water problems."
i'm not sure about the first. i imagine that fish have to move around a lot to find food, probably some go days without a meal. maybe not algea eaters and the like. as to the second, bottom feeders won't eat after they're full, and won't touch food that has been there too long. i am in whole hearted agreement with the 3rd part though, most likely if you stick with that it won't matter if you feed small often or large infrequently.
As for overfeeding, if you have a school of clown loaches and corys in a community then nothing goes to waste!
I think once you start observing feeding behaviour, then you shouldn't have any problems with leftover food causing water problems."
i'm not sure about the first. i imagine that fish have to move around a lot to find food, probably some go days without a meal. maybe not algea eaters and the like. as to the second, bottom feeders won't eat after they're full, and won't touch food that has been there too long. i am in whole hearted agreement with the 3rd part though, most likely if you stick with that it won't matter if you feed small often or large infrequently.
Tappin's advice about several feedings a day seems to apply to growing sub-adult rainbowfish:
Admittedly it's a little ambiguous. But the occasional "starve-day" for adults is recommended by Tappin.
Admittedly it's a little ambiguous. But the occasional "starve-day" for adults is recommended by Tappin.
i feed...
my adult fish only eat 5 meals a week...iuf thewre good sizedmeals.. othere wise 7 times
my adult fish only eat 5 meals a week...iuf thewre good sizedmeals.. othere wise 7 times
I have made a post similar to this before, my apologies to anyone who reads it again 
It is my opinion that most people feed their fish, and other animals for that matter, entirely too much. I'm not sure about other countries but Americans have become such that they spend a great majority of their time eating. We all know about obesity problems. Anyway, this behavior easily translates to their animals. In reality most animals would not eat as much as they do in captivity. Animals can go for a long time without food. I have let mine go for 9 days with no adverse effects. Remember that fish are cold-blooded, just like reptiles. Most energy from food is spent maintaing the metabolism in warm-blooded animals. I also keep a few snakes and have had them fast for extended periods, up to 13 months with no problems. Routinely I feed my fish twice a week, sometimes three/wk.
Bob
It is my opinion that most people feed their fish, and other animals for that matter, entirely too much. I'm not sure about other countries but Americans have become such that they spend a great majority of their time eating. We all know about obesity problems. Anyway, this behavior easily translates to their animals. In reality most animals would not eat as much as they do in captivity. Animals can go for a long time without food. I have let mine go for 9 days with no adverse effects. Remember that fish are cold-blooded, just like reptiles. Most energy from food is spent maintaing the metabolism in warm-blooded animals. I also keep a few snakes and have had them fast for extended periods, up to 13 months with no problems. Routinely I feed my fish twice a week, sometimes three/wk.
Bob
I think to reach a good size fish need food -- the question is the amount to feed, which is difficult. I prefer several smaller feedings a day. I can't see the advantage of feeding every few days as opposed to once a day. It's not good for fish to stuff themselves at any one meal. Of course this will vary for herbivores, carnivores ...
"Growing rainbowfishes require a feeding ratio of 5% of their body weight in 3 or more feeds daily". Now I hope that's in wet (moisture-containing) food equivalent, and not dry flake
Jared
"Growing rainbowfishes require a feeding ratio of 5% of their body weight in 3 or more feeds daily". Now I hope that's in wet (moisture-containing) food equivalent, and not dry flake
Jared
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You make a very valid point...Most pets are over fed. Cats and dogs--ask your vet how many obese ones come into their office. I make sure my cats and dogs exercise, but can't do the same for my aquatic pets. Limiting thier intake is the best I can do.
