How To Stop Greedy Guts?

[kinmad4it]

I've tried feeding some algae pellets in with the normal flaked food so the BN's get something other than what they scrape off the side of the tank and other surfaces. I come back to the tank after half an hour or so and find the female swordtail swelled up like a Weeble. She's obviously eating way too much and this only happens when I feed the pellets.
Is there anything I can do to prevent this? I could get her out of the tank and place her in a bucket when I want to feed the algae pellets, but isn't this a pretty drastic action to take? The size she ends up really scares me and the missis. She can't be doing herself any good ballooning to such an extent like that.

 

[Scunny]

Try diverting your greedy fishes attention with food while you feed your Plec.

Its kinda what i had to do when my Betta was in my community aquarium.

 

[Puffdaddy]

You can also try feeding the pleco algae waffers instead of pellets. The waffers will be to big for the swordtail to eat. Another idea would to feed the pellets a half hour or hour after lights out or if you really want to be dedicated feed them in the middle of the night.

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I have the same problem with just about all of my fish going after the sinking tablets I put in for the corys... once their food is finished they head straight for the tablet. *sigh*

 

[kinmad4it]

I've tried some algae wafers before now. Ended up with the same result. Next day I wake up to find a balloon swordtail.
My job means I have to get up at 4am anyway, so will try popping a few pellets in then. See if she's asleep and doesn't notice them.

 

[-germ-]

I've got the same problem with 2 seriously greedy (and obese) gourami, the only technique i've found mildly successful is distracting them (as mentioned earlier)with a little bit of flake and feeding my other fish directly eg; putting my hand right in and releasing the food right next to them.
If you are worried about their health you could always try a tank divider for a couple of feeds a week.
Have you tried unblanched veg? Until its softened (courgette; takes a good few hours) my gourami can't really pick much off it so its free for my pleco to feed off....
If your Molly is overeating make sure you provide a weekly fast day or two.

 

[montyII]

You could try feeding you BN some fresh cucumber or zucchini, mine love it. I just weight some slices down with a small rock. The other fish go and have a poke at it but soon get bored - the plecs are the only ones who eat it.

 

[kinmad4it]

Great idea Monty I have tried cucumber before and it did seem the only ones really interested were the BN's
The Swordtail has thankfully gone back to normal size, but is looking a bit sorry for herself. Haven't seen her chase a Gourami once yet today.
Would it be advisable to put a few peas in just in case her over eating has got her slightly constipated?

 

[-germ-]

No, as mentioned in my post above fast her for a day or 2 then consider feeding her some pea.....

 

[kinmad4it]

I was wondering about some sort of tank divider, or maybe a breeding trap if that would work. I'll leave feeding them for a few days them give them all a treat of some real live food. Not sure what type to go for though. Daphnia would be better so the Glowlights have a chance of getting in their mouths, but wouldn't Bloodworm be better for making sure the BN's get some?

 

[-germ-]

How about a mix? Live foods are fairly cheap...

 

[kinmad4it]

So long as Mrs Creasote doesn't eat it all

 

[doresy]

Ok, so would this work? (not given it too much thought so don't slag me )

Have something like half a flower pot at the bottom (or something that the bottom feeders could go in and out of) Then get a length of ridge, clear plastic tube that reaches to that 'pot'. Get the end under the pot as far as you can then drop into the tube your sinking food. Leave it until the food reaches the bottom and any other fish have lost interest. Then return later, feed as usual (away from the pot) then, while their attention is distracted, gently lift the tube being careful not to drag the food out then just hope the bottom feeders find it before the sting is blown

With a bit of trial and error it could work......couldn't it!

Me? naw, I just let nature take it's course.....no fish in my tank has ever died of starvation!

 

[montyII]

I must admit, I've tried the tube thing to get algae wafers to my plecs without Gouramis and others getting there first - The cheeky buggers follow the wafer as it sinks in the tube then get into the cave and scoff it!