Softening Flakes For Small Fish

[bushka]

I have these red platys I've been raising from fry, and I notice that they often spit the flakes out when they have just been dropped into the water. I suppose the flakes are too hard to swallow comfortably and need time to soak up some water. If I soak them first they just float down immediately. Being surface feeders, they miss most of the flakes. What's the best thing to do?

Thanks,
Bushka

 

[Tolak]

Crush some flake as fine as possible. A zip lock bag with a rolling pin or large can works well, a clean coffee grinder works awesome.

 

[bushka]

Thanks. I've been taking a little more care to keep crushing the flakes until they are all very small. I can do this OK just by pinching the flakes in my palm. It seems to be going down better for them.