Feeding Gourami

[Feather_Sword]

I have a blue Guorami now, but since he does not come up to the top to feed, should I invest in a type of sinking food? My new Swordtail is the same way. So my question is, what food should I get him?

 

[Colin_T]

stay with flake food as bottom feeding pellets can rot into the gravel if they aren't eaten and that can cause water quality issues.
Most fish will learn to take food from the surface and gouramis & swordtails are natural surface feeders. Therefore they should take floating foods. If they aren't feeding then there could be a water quality problem or the fish are sick or stressed out.

 

[Feather_Sword]

Okay. I'm thinking they might be a tad stressed out, even though I bought them last Friday, November 21, 2008.

If there were a water problem, what should I look for? Nitrate or Ammonia?

 

[Colin_T]

water quality problems can be ammonia, nitrite, nitrate or PH.
Any ammonia or nitrite will cause stress and if the PH is above 7.0 then any ammonia present becomes extremely toxic.
Nitrate levels above 50ppm can cause stress.
If the PH is different compared to where the fish came from that will cause stress. Also if the PH is extremely acid (below 6.5) or alkaline (above 8.0) then that can cause stress.

sorry about the late reply, I only just got the email.

 

[Elrohirthehasty]

take a pinch of flake food, and when you put it in the tank, put the pinch underwater and spread it around

 

[Feather_Sword]

Actually, he is eating pretty good now, so I am thinking he was just stressed.

 

[Colin_T]

good to hear it is eating well now