Feeding Time...

[JMcQueen]

I recently (today) introduced a couple of Black Moors into my cycled tank. Now, looking around the web, talking to the LFS and reading the packaging I have about six different recommendations on feeding. One says 2-3 times a day, once says twice every other day and another says twice daily. To say its confusing is an understatement and I've come to the conclusion that nobody really knows exactly!?

Im feeding them a mixture of sinking pellets and flake with the idea being that what they dont manage to pick up in flake, they'll discover in the substrate whilst searching around. Given this combo, I'm thinking once a day and only a quantity of flake that they'll eat in two minutes and currently about 3 pellets each.

Anyone think this is ok or have suggestions on improving it?

 

[the biffster]

we feed ours once a day just enough
to clear in about 2 minutes then that sends
them of sucking on the graval for the next
2hrs they get treats now and again
plus they love java moss they eat a big hand full
in a week and a half

 

[waterdrop]

Yeah, its basically a matter of using your judgement to gradually figure out what is keeping them somewhat hungry (rather than fully satiated) but is now fouling the tank. Its also a trade-off between the obvious fact that in the wild, fish pick at and find, usually, tiny bits of food all day long, whereas for us too many small feedings becomes impractical. And of course the big issue is that their total for the day is usually much tinier (like the volume of their eye, a trick some use) that we as big human mammels can imagine. They are cold-blooded and don't use fuel to warm their bodies so much, like we do, which is a major difference that we mostly can't fathom. On the other hand, the low feeding thing can be overdone and you do want your fish to be healthy and happy, so its an ongoing process that I think we all struggle a little with to some extent, when we think about it, lol.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[LondonguyJ]

Once every other day with enough food to be cleared in 5 minutes.

Though I'd say the most important thing is to introduce a good variation to their diet. A mix of cooked broccoli, blood worms, and shrimp sent my fish crazy. As opposed to flake food which they'd eat but wouldn't be too concerned about

 

[JMcQueen]

Yeah, I was thinking about putting the occasional bit of pre soaked fruit and veg in the tank for a couple of hours for them to graze on before removing it to prevent water contamination.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Oh Broccoli, I'm gonna try that. Mine have had peas twice and love them!

 

[waterdrop]

You're such a great Fish Mom Caz

 

[JMcQueen]

They do seem to try most things. I gave mine a bit of lettuce floating on the top last night and they had a few goes at that. And today I put a small bit of banana in and they really liked that. As its an 'afternoon' treat, I only left it in for a short while to stop them over eating.

 

[OldMan47]

I have never tried using non-protein sources with goldfish but have found that many easy products seem to lend themselves to cold water fish like goldfish. The times per day data seems unimportant to me. Instead I would focus on having exactly the right blend of plant and live food material in your staple food. Goldfish seem to be largely vegetarian, so a vegetarian approach to their health would seem appropriate to me.

 

[JMcQueen]

Ive always been advised against live food due to parasites.

 

[Twinklecaz]

You're such a great Fish Mom Caz

Ha ha thanks!

 

[Gvilleguy]

Good thread - I was wondering the same thing about frequency of feeding. Should be introducing first fish to our tank in a week or two. I was thinking we would start with mostly flake food with some of the frozen types (bloodworm, brine shrimp) for a change of pace once or twice per week. I had never considered they would eat veggies!

 

[Twinklecaz]

Mine haven't had any live foods. I'm not sure about them to be honest, I think Platys and Gouramis are mostly omnivors aren't they? Plus someone said live food can bring in parasites and I can't be doing with that!

 

[JMcQueen]

Freeze dried 'live' food (if you get what I mean) is recommended due to the parasite issue but doesnt contain as much nutrients as live food.

 

[Gvilleguy]

Yes - the frozen type of "live" food is all that I can get at the LFS.