Fat Zebra Danios

[Abilor]

Newb question...

I have learned to feed sparingly, measuring my flake and occasional frozen amounts of food. All food is consumed in less than two minutes, during twice a day feedings. I throw in a third of a sinking pellet for my loaches every other day, on those days they don't get frozen daphinia or tubifex one time a day.

My problem is that two of my three danios are extrememly aggressive about eating. Since they're the only ones near the surface usually, they get a head start, as well as being voracious scavengers. They even go after the sinking pellets as the loaches brush by taking small mouthfuls; they eat the "mist" of food that goes up into the water column as the loaches eat. As a result, two of my danios are bloated and fat.

These three will eventually go back to LFS, but what to do in the meantime? I'm already feeding little food, and I'm worried that the neons and the loaches are getting just enough to be fed, but not overfed, so I don't want to cut back on food anymore. Would a pipette type feeding tube help in such a situation?

 

[budrecki]

I have black neon's tetras that are 2 yrs old, collectively known as "Stupid Tetras". They were the first fish we brought home and they will not die. I hate them, of all the fish we have they are my least favorite and I don't know why......

Sorry, back on topic....I have rarely seen the tetras eat, but they obviously do. They don't come to the top to feed, but stay mid water all the time.

Don't worry about the danios eating habits. But why are they going back to the store?

As for the loaches, a third of a sinking pellet every other day? Not enough, no way, no how. Loaches need to eat to grow and be healthy. My 7 clowns get wafers/shrimp pellets every day. Every other day the tank gets fresh veg in the form of zucchini, spinach, peas, squash, or melon. Every now and than grapes. Frozen blood worms twice a week.

How big are your 3 loaches?

 

[Abilor]

Budrecki, you addressed my concerns about my poor loaches, and exactly why I don't want to cut back on food. However, I think I finally found a solution! I have hikari frozen tubifex and daphnia. I thaw the daphnia in a little cup, and it goes all over when I pour it in (loaches get some). The tubifex, however, will sink right to the bottom if not thawed! I tried this today, and the loaches smelled it first, and headed right over. They got a monster snack, and as they ate, the worms spread up into the column where the tetras were waiting. Today it was the zebras who got the scraps! They really are fat, I can't describe it, but moderation and tricks like this is helping them slim out again.

I got the danios to help cycle the tank (before I knew fishless was an option - pays to read here first before doing something). I was planning on keeping them, but with the food problems and the fact that they hound the tetras, I worry that they would not get along with glass cats either, which I'm trying to set my tank up for. So I will keep them healthy, and when the time comes, return them to LFS, unless someone else I know wants them (which is nobody).

Meanwhile, as far as a feeding regime, I plan on feeding the tubifex twice a week, and dropping loach pellets in when they don't get them. They get daphnia when I add that too, but I only feed frozen no more than four times a week, supplementing with flake. Somebody's eating the plants and algea in the tank, but do you think algae wafers or fresh veggies are necessary?

 

[Abilor]

also, maybe I should get frozen bloodworms too? everybody likes daphnia, for sure...

 

[budrecki]

Somebody's eating the plants and algea in the tank, but do you think algae wafers or fresh veggies are necessary?

If you offer fresh veggies, they may lay off the plants

As for algae, you would have to have all for walls covered to sustain 3 loaches. "Algae" wafers also contain a lot of protein and vitamins important for grown.

The important thing is to offer a variety of food as to avoid the finicky eater syndrome. And feed every day.

 

[budrecki]

also, maybe I should get frozen bloodworms too? everybody likes daphnia, for sure...

Mine LOVE the blood worms. It's one of the only times my clowns actually chase other fish away.

 

[joephys]

My zebra danios are the same way when I feed flake food I pinch it and release it under the water, it floats down fairly quickly and allows all my fish to get some. The danio's are probably full of eggs, not just fat.

 

[Abilor]

Jesus, I hadn't even thought of that. Crapola, what happens now? Just when I felt prepared for most things... How do I go about ascertaining one way or another regarding pregnancy?

 

[budrecki]

Any morning sickness, spitting out food?
Fatigue, swimming slower than usual?
Changes in appetite, "pickles" written in the algae?

If all else fails, EPT for fish :clap:

 

[Abilor]

You know, as funny as that was, the "fat" danios are getting very pushy. They hound the other fish out of certain areas, definitely establishing some dominance. Could the territorial behavior be a component here? Haven't seen eggs yet, but I will keep my out for fry. I don't have anywhere to put them, though I would entertain raising some just for the experience. I have a feeling these will end up as treats for the danios though (cannibals!)