Messy Eaters ....

[Jabba]

How do you cure lazy or messy eaters, it seems that mostly the food I put in ends up sinking while the fish think about it, then by the time they make their minds up it is on the bottom and they ignore it, if I put a second pinch in the feeding starts, seems I have a tank of top feeders, if I dabble in the water to get attention they scoot off and hide - except the betta who is too nosey for his own good.

Of course the Eheim sometimes decides to let rip and sinks the lot in double quick time (2227 Wet & Dry) ... I need to time my food drops like a military operation ...

I always feed at the same times and always at the same point on the tank, I alternate flake, frozen (various tasties), brine shrimp so I do try to keep it interesting and predictable in there.

Would bottom feeders help ??

Any one care to recommend some community fish that will help eat the sunk food suitable for a 50 gallon tank that is almost cycled .....

The occupants will be .....

4 Otocinclus Cats
2 Silver Dollar
5 Danio's
6 Black Widow Tetra
3 Neon Tetra
1 Cardinal Tetra
2 Molly
2 Platy
1 Male Betta - the biggest personality in the tank !!

My 25 Gallon is going to become a quarantine / hospital / nursery tank for now but will retain the Otto's until the new tank starts growing the green stuff they like ... they won't touch algae wafer.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Put in less, seems to be the answer here. Let them be hungry for a day or two, then put in a tiny amount, and crumble it up so it floats better and is easier to eat. Only put more in when they have eaten that.

 

[LiveLifeGoJump]

If you have an 'evil' filter , switch it off at feeding time (remember to switch it back on after) and allow water to settle a minute before adding food.