Feeding Time - Timid Cory's And Greedy Platys!

[ADW1988]

I didn't want to put this in Cory section or livebearer so thought this was the best place.

Well as the title suggests, my Platy are very lovely, but very greedy! They eat flake, bloodworm, and.... The Cory/catfish pellets! Greedy so and so's

Are there any of you out there that have greedy platys that eat all? The neon tetras can handle themselves as they go for the flake that are at top, but as the Cory don't go for their pellets straight away, I catch the platy eating them!

I even have a coconut shell with java moss on so the Cory have another place to hide, so tried putting the pellets under there delving my arm right in. Sure as you know, I get in from work and one of the platy swims out from under the shell!!!

Am I right to worry bout the Cory getting fed properly?

 

[fluttermoth]

Do you still have just the three panda cories?
 
That could be the root of the problem. Like a lot of social fish, cories often don't feel brave enough to come out and feed, if they're in too small a group. You could get three more, if your stocking is the same as it is in your sig, and see if things improve.

 

[ADW1988]

Yh stocking is still the same. I was planning on adding at least one more but didn't want to do it too quick. U think maybe 3 would make them braver? I was told they happy in 3's but subsequently found 4/5/6 is better.

Thanks for the advice will give it a go

For the time being any tips on keeping others away or hiding good in Cory friendly places lol! I'm stumped

 

[fluttermoth]

They will almost certainly be brave enough to come out if there's more of them, yes. My pandas are out all the time; and there's three tiger barbs in their tank atm!
 
Oh, you could try; giving the platies a more floating food (like freeze dried daphnia that stays floating for ages; I use it for my hatchets) to keep them busy while the cories get theirs.
 
Also, always feed the cories in the same spot, and at a regular time (I feed all my tanks immediately I turn the lights on) so they know when food is coming.

 

[Baccus]

As well as increasing the cory numbers, you can also try feeding the corys at night after lights out. Don't do this immediately after lights out and the room is dark, rather wait a few minutes so that the platies have started dozing. Catfish are mostly nocturnal anyway, and the whiskers on the corys will help them sniff out their food in the privacy of darkness.

 

[ADW1988]

Brilliant, thanks all for the advice

Fluttermoth, I was hoping the coconut shell would be a good spot but Mickey Mouse platy gets under there. Will try that with the freeze dried daphnia. ATM I only have the bloodworm in jelly.
Absolutely love pandas.. Will be adding to them Sunday :now you said that .


Thansk Baccus. I tended ATM to drop the pellets in straight after lights out, but will indeed try all and see what works

Cheers everyone
Ps, if I was to add 3 more Cory would you say that's fully stocked for a 60l?

 

[fluttermoth]

Cheers everyone
Ps, if I was to add 3 more Cory would you say that's fully stocked for a 60l?

Yes, it would be fully stocked then.

 

[ADW1988]

Cheers everyone
Ps, if I was to add 3 more Cory would you say that's fully stocked for a 60l?

Yes, it would be fully stocked then.

Lovely, that's perfect. Many thanks. More pandas Sunday

 

[Fishmanic]

I have 3 swartzi corys and they're not shy.  They move around the bottom and mid almost constantly.  I drop in an agae wafer and when it absorbs water it break into little pieces that the corys eat.  I also drop flake and mini pellet in the flow from the HOB filter and it gets pushed to the bottom by the strong water flow.  I had 5 corys at first but two didn't make it.  They seem fine in their group of 3.  Sometime they hang together and other times they go on their separate ways.

 

[MBOU]

What foods are you feeding the corys?
 
You could try using a longer lasting food like a JBL NovoTab for the platies, put it in and stick it to the glass and once platies are obsessed with that, then put cory pellets in. You wont need to feed flake for a while but once corys are more confident, you can use novotabs as a treat and chuck in the cory pellets and they will fight for their food.

 

[HAMBONE]

Hows aboot buying food that sinks???

 

[ADW1988]

Hows aboot buying food that sinks???

 
Cheers Hambone Already have catfish pellets in original post and the bloodworm in jelly that sinks!

I have 3 swartzi corys and they're not shy.  They move around the bottom and mid almost constantly.  I drop in an agae wafer and when it absorbs water it break into little pieces that the corys eat.  I also drop flake and mini pellet in the flow from the HOB filter and it gets pushed to the bottom by the strong water flow.  I had 5 corys at first but two didn't make it.  They seem fine in their group of 3.  Sometime they hang together and other times they go on their separate ways.

 
 
They're not exactly shy they swim about, prob getting used to their new tank mates. Like Swartzi corys v pretty.. Will give the filter trick a go thanks.

What foods are you feeding the corys?
 
You could try using a longer lasting food like a JBL NovoTab for the platies, put it in and stick it to the glass and once platies are obsessed with that, then put cory pellets in. You wont need to feed flake for a while but once corys are more confident, you can use novotabs as a treat and chuck in the cory pellets and they will fight for their food.

 
Thanks Mbou will look up the JBL NovoTab, sounds a good idea.
 
 
Thnx all for further advice

 

[Fishmanic]

where do you buy bloodworms in jelly that sinks or do you make it yourself?

 

[ADW1988]

where do you buy bloodworms in jelly that sinks or do you make it yourself?

 
Sorry only just saw this... Over here in our local Pets at Home (Petsmart equivalent i imagine), they stock the tetra range. I'ts pretty grusome stuff but seems to be enjoyed (probably by the greedy platys!!).
 
 
It's great as it comes in this jelly and you can see the worms in the jelly, but it doesnt cloud the tank.
 
Not sure if it's better than the frozen stuff as I have no experience using the frozen.. You get 16 sachets for £5 (cheaper online).
 
http/www.petsathome.com/shop/tetra-delica-fresh-bloodworm-fish-treat-16-x-3g-30394
 
If you manage to find some. Make sure you squeeze the sachet between fingers before opening and pouring. Can bunch up and just sink in a big glob..