Overfeeding?

[lilfishy]

As some of you know, I am having an ammonia problem. The fish store people suggested I only feed my fish once a day in the morning and thats IT!!! I got the whole shabeel about how a fishes stomach is as big as its two eyes and thats IT!!!!!

Ok, last night and the night before and the night before that I didn't feed them at night. They all look like they are really pixxed at me and are fighting with one another and look really cranky. I have three angelfish at about 3 1/2 inches in size and they are the ones who are really acting like they are gonna kill all the other fish if they don't get more food. My pl*co was fighting for his occassional algea disc with the three other catfish this morning, and in spite of his size (he is pretty big) they looked like they were beating the bajeebers out of him.

So.... how much food do you give them? They all eat like pigs so if I give them enough to devoure in 2 minutes and none is left, they seem to devour it in 1/2 a minute and beg for two more servings.

How much does an angelfish eat? Like I said, they are about 3 1/2 inches a piece in size and I have about 15 fish altogether in there. It is not crowded though.

 

[revfred]

I like to feed the fish . . . so I take my time at it. Feed them twice a day. The rule of thumb is as much as they can eat in 5 minutes. I feed it to them slowly. I find it pretty relaxing.

When they are "full" they don't take as much interest in the food. That's when I stop.

 

[FroggyFox]

I agree in part with your lfs. If you're having troubles, cut back on the food. Fish can go for a long time w/o food and chances are good that you're overfeeding them.

That being said I also agree with revfred. I love watching my fish eat...mine get fed several times a day...probably about 4 times because I have to feed the babies that often and I have kinda just gotten into that routine. Just feed them small amounts. Also once in awhile I won't feed them for a day, which might seem mean at first, but it cleans their systems out just like fasting does for us.

I would suggest that if you think you are overfeeding cut back...but don't cut back so much just because your LFS suggests it. Maybe put them on a diet, back down a little bit...watch them and make sure they all get something to eat and then stop. If after a couple of weeks of feeding less your ammonia problems go away, then you know that was the problem...but somehow I doubt that it is.

I'd be cranky too if I was used to eating 3 meals a day and suddenly someone told me I could only eat 2!

 

[fishboy]

Yes i agree with froggy. My outside danios only get fed every couple days and they do fine. Fish can go long times without food and it is probably better that you are feeding less. Feed only once a day with what they can consume in a minute and you will be fine.

I like the others love to watch them eat , very peaceful and serene, until i get to feeding those black tetras. =) Fasting fish for a day or two is a good thing, it leads to less obeseity and like Froggy said cleans out their systems. When i ship fish, i don't feed them for quite a few days before, so it cleans out their system and dont produce waste in the bag. They seem fine and arrive great. BTW how large is this tank?

Good luck,
Daniel

 

[lilfishy]

The tank

is 30 gal.