Should I Pre-Soak Flakes For Platy And Neons?

[Deleted member 107737]

Hi All,
 
Should i pre-soak flakes for platy and neons??
 
its not difficult but have noticed it all sinks to quick in my PLANTED tank. The fish are missing a lot because of the quick sinking nature.
 
thanks,
 
dave

 

[techen]

Put the flakes on the surface rather than pushing them underwater?

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Flakes float generally unless the fish go mad and knock them under. In which case they may sink. I'd feed a bit less so the fish then go looking for more food and will likely find the stuff that they missed.

 

[Deleted member 107737]

the reason i ask is mainly ive heard about swim bladder disease and it says pre soak the flakes so they dont gulp air?!?!?!?!

 

[Mamashack]

It's not really necessary to soak the flakes for platies or neons as they have stream-lined bodies.
I used to have to soak my pearlscale goldfishes' food as they were deliberately bred with, what is in essence, deformed bodies and their guts are all scrunched up so they are particularly prone to swim-bladder problems.
I do still soak pellets for my platies otherwise they tend to get swallowed whole and I don't want them swelling in the gut, better for them to have to nibble at it I feel. I don't soak flake tho.
Try fasting your fish for a day every week and then they'll have to forage for their food and as Lunar Jetman says they'll find any leftovers that sank to the bottom.

 

[lee420]

Dont need to soak. And are you putting them in where the filter spits out water? That will make sink fast so try to drop them in on a calm patch if you want them to float longer

 

[TallTree01]

It depends on there eating style. My neons eat like pigs ( they're the only fish in the tank apart from brisltenose ) and their tails were always floating so I had to start soaking the flakes. I feed pellets now cos it means i don't have to soak.