Feeding Question.

airbrnebkr

airbrnebkr

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Apr 19, 2004
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I am starting my first saltwater tank, and I was told by the guy at the aquarium store to only feed my damsels once a day. I'm still in the cycling phase, but my poor little fish seem like they are starving everytime I feed them. I am feeding them flake food. I was wondering if I should be feeding them more, supplementing with another kind of food, or just sticking with once a day.

Thank You,
Doug
 
Feeding lightly will help keep the cycle from killing your fish. Damsels seldom starve in the aquarium, as they are pigs...And will always greedily eat. Fish don't need nearly as much food as we tend to think they will--fish have much different metabolisms than mammals, and burn much fewer calories.
 
I was told by my lfs that a fish stomach is roughly the size of their two eyes togther. She said think ing like that should avoid overfeeding. If this is true its a good guide to help you feed. Hopefully OrionGirl or one of the other senior members will comment of this.
Adam
 
First, I would prefer you take the damsels back to the LFS and use something else to cycle the tank. Puting fish thru the cycle is cruel, since we now know it is unnecessary. Your LFS evendently does not keep up with what is going on in the hobby, an indicator IMO that you should look for a new one. It is not your fault. You asked their advice and followed it.

There are some good articles about fishless cycling of tanks.

As to feeding fish. Fish( after the cycle) should be fed 3-4 times a day. Most of what was written on feeding fish is 30 years old and we know and keep tanks that are a lot different these days. Personally I think 90% of the SW tanks are underfeed. (Let the screaming begin)
 
Ray, I don't think that you are wrong about underfeeding at all. I've increased the frequency and amount of food that I've been adding after reading a post of yours. My fish show much more energy vitality etc. I will say though that if anyone reading this is a newbie or in doubt under feed! The fish will do a lot better with too little food than with too much.
chris
 
I agree with Ray, go with a fishless cycle....besides all you will end up with is nasty, agressive Damsels. As for feeding, I like to feed 3 times daily in small amount.

The fishies seem happier and the skimmer is working more efficiently.

Just my 2 cents, Chris
 
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