My Golden Barbs Are So Greedy!

[highfire]

Hello
I thought that when I upgraded from a 60 litre to my present tank, I would find it easier to feed all my fish without the golden barbs getting in there first, but they are still gluttons.
My problem is the bottom feeders, ie: my 5 weather loaches. I put food in and the danios are fine because they tend to stay at the top and feed, but whenever a piece of food starts to sink down one of the barbs is there and snaps it up before you can blink.
Some foods does reach the bottom, but I don't think it's enough for my weather loaches. Even when I try to feed the barbs at the top at one end of the tank and then put sinkers in at the other for the loaches, the barbs are so eagle-eyed they don't miss a trick. They are all over the place, snapping up anything I put in there before it is even half way down the tank.
One thing I tried was cutting up cubes of frozen blood worm in quarters and pushing them under the sand while still frozen. My loaches enjoyed digging them out and it worked to an extent, but I still have the problem of other food not making it to the bottom.
A tank divider is not really a viable option because my tank is quite heavily planted and also the decor would make it difficult to use a divider.
Any one have any suggestions? I'm concerned that my loaches aren't getting enough.
Many thanks in advance!

 

[bobross]

It's the same thing that I've experienced with my barbs as well(6 tiger, 4albino, 5 cherry) . To an extent. I sometimes feed my rs sinking algae wafers and find that they get picked at a lot before my shark gets to them. As they all pick at them and are almost gone by the time they get to the bottom. I was concerned about it as well. And other than target feeding the rainbow shark, I haven't found much of a solution to the problem either. I've always assumed that bottom feeding fish live to scavenge for food and thought they'd be able to fend for themselves in the food department. Do you're loaches get ANY food?

Sorry, didn't answer the question - it's that I'm going through a similiar scenario and thought I would throw down on this as well - hopefully someone's got a solution for ya.



BobRoss

 

[PufferFishRule]

hmm try dropping sinkers in with the flakes at both end of the tanks..confuse them..or do what i did...i hooked a long air tube to a plastic surenge injector thing and shoot the food through the tube to the bottum..my tigers did the same thing to my goby...before my pacu killed em lol

 

[highfire]

Thanks for the response, BopRoss.
My loaches do get some food, some days more than others, but I know they don't get enough, especially the two smaller loaches who are shyer than the larger three.
Let's hope someone out there in TFF Land can come up with some good ideas for us both to try!

 

[gpgscott]

Highfire, try dropping in a few sinking pellets after turning off the lights, I have the same problem with a semi-aggressive community and this works good for me. I use a fairly large brine shrimp pellet, it can't be swallowed all at once. Scott

Except by "Mango Fish" (avatar) which is why I wait until 'lights out'

 

[highfire]

Thanks for the suggestions, PufferFishRule and gpgscott. Good ideas for me to try there.
I shall see how I get on.