Feeding Problems With Smaller Fish

[Lizzie71]

My tank currently contains 3 female platys and 6 hengel's rasboras. They all live peacefully together, no problems. But when it comes to feeding time, the greedy platys always get to the food first, and the poor little rasboras barely get a crumb.

I'm crumbling up the flakes (as recommended by the guy in the fish shop) because the rasboras are barely 2cm long and have tiny mouths. But the platys still gobble it all up when it's on the surface, and the rasboras seem reluctant to swim up and try to get some. Very little drops down, so they get the odd crumb, then whatever lands on the gravel is eaten by (you guessed it!) the platys.

I'm worried that the rasboras might starve at this rate. Any suggestions how I can make sure they get some food?

 

[Tolak]

Sprinkle half a pinch on top on one end, when the platys are eating put half a pinch at the other end underwater before you release it.

 

[backtotropical]

Or mix in some sinking food. eg. Tetra Prima

 

[doresy]

Grind up some Tetra Prima, dip a wet (clean) finger in it then dip it below water surface. As sugested before, drop in some flake at the other end first.

Another tip, always drop in a little flake in the same spot and the greedy Platy will eventually always hang around that spot when they see you

 

[Lizzie71]

Thanks everyone. I tried feeding the platys at the front and the rasboras at the back this morning and I think they ate a little. They just don't look very interested in the flake food, I think I'll try some crumbled dried bloodworms in the morning and see how that goes down.

They are all swimming around like little demons so they obviously aren't distressed!