Spitting Out Food

[mweatherall988]

Hi guys, I've just recently bought a new aquarium, and some neon tetra. This is the first time I've kept tropical fish so I'm rather new to it all.
I've had the tetra for a couple of days now and they seem to have settled into their tank well. When I first fed them (the night I got them) they seemed uninterested in the food. I just put this down to being in a new environment and perhaps they hadn't been long fed when they were in the store. However today when I've fed them, they seem to be more enthusiastic but when they eat a flake, they just spit it out again. Is this normal behaviour?
I've searched the internet and some sites say that its fine, others say that its because they dont like the food, and some say it could be NTD.

I need help! I'm worried they arent getting enough nourishment! The food I'm feeding them is "Aquarian - Advanced Nutrition" flake food.

Also... how often should I be feeding them, I cant seem to get a consistent answer - some people saying once every day, to 3 times a day.

Many thanks!

 

[backtotropical]

to TFF,

I'd say that you are correct about the first feeding. It is common for fish not to be interested in food when in a new environment.

As for spitting the food out, I wouldn't be concerned to be honest. Fish often do that as a way to break up the food into smaller pieces. Try crushing the flakes into smaller pieces before feeding and see if that solves the problem.

Are they actually eating any of the food or is it all being left in the bottom of the tank? If there is leftover food, you need to remove it as it will pollute the water.

Once per day is adequate for feeding most fish. Only feed as much as the fish will consume in 2 - 3 minutes. If there is still food left after this time, you have fed too much.

Whilst these are good questions you are asking, my first concern is what have you done to prepare the tank for these fish? Did you cycle the tank? If so, how? Do you know what 'cycling' is?

Cheers

BTT

 

[mweatherall988]

Well, I bought the tank and set it up two weeks ago. Its a 35litre tank with a stingray underwater filter, 50w heater and three different live plants. When I set it up I de-chlorinated the water and added Nutrafin Cycle once a week for the two weeks, then added an additional amount just before I added the fish. I was told this was what I was supposed to do before I got the fish.

Another question: they seem to spend a lot of their time around the bottom of the tank, is that normal? There are only 5 of them at the moment.

 

[greenscooby]

I'm an 100 % newbie to this hobby and done no research(slaps wrists for 2nd time) but i crush my flakes up REALLY small and only feed them once a day, and my neons, mollies, tetras and platties eat the flakes, and once maybe twice a week i feed them bloodworm, once my fish in cycle is complete i may feed them twice a day, but my LFS said once a day is plenty. Somebody will correct me if i'm wrong.

Hope this helps,

Mark.

 

[greenscooby]

BTT has asked a good question there, did you cycle your tank, i know i'm only a newbie but after reading the threads on here i now know that cycling is REALLY REALLY important.

 

[backtotropical]

I suspect that your tank hasn't been properly prepared for fish, and that the fish are currently suffering ammonia poisoning.

Do you have a water test kit? I assume you took advice from your local fish shop?

Hanging around the bottom is usually a sign that either they are in unfamiliar surroundings or they feel unwell.

 

[mweatherall988]

I do have a water test kit, but it doesnt test for ammonia... Is there anything I can do to find out what the problem is, and if it can be fixed before they get sick?

 

[backtotropical]

Can you test for nitrite?

It wouldn't give us an absolute answer, but may identify part of the problem.

I suggest that you need to get an ammonia test. It may be crucial to keeping these fish alive. A liquid reagent based test is best. Dip-strips and tablet based tests are known to be less accurate.

In the meantime, I suggest that you should change around 50% of the water every day as a precautionary measure. Just make sure that you dechlorinate the replacement water and try to match the temperature as best you can (doesn't need to be absolutely accurate).

Once you get your ammonia test, post test results on here and we'll have a much better idea of what is going on.

Also, have a read of the links in my signature below called 'The Nitrogen Cycle' and 'Cycling with Fish'. Those should help you understand what is going on in your tank. Any questions, just ask.

Cheers

BTT

 

[mweatherall988]

Both Nitrite and Nitrate levels appear to be 0 (I just tested it).... It has been the same the entire time i've had the tank.

 

[backtotropical]

That suggests that your tank is either fully cycled or not cycled at all.

From what you said previously, i'd guess that not cycled at all is most likely. How long have the neons been in there?

 

[mweatherall988]

Since Friday afternoon.

 

[greenscooby]

Water test kit, i can answer this one, you need a API FREASHWATER MASTER TEST KIT, this tests for Ph, Ammonia, NitrIte and nitrAte, i paid over the odds for mine but you can pick one up on Ebay for about £16 + p&p

 

[mweatherall988]

Bugger. I feel like a real tit now lol. I really should have researched more on the subject, rather than just relying on the advice of the staff at the pet store.
I'll have to pick up a master test kit - hopefully I can get it sorted before I suffer any casualties!

 

[greenscooby]

Some friendly advice, from what i've learnt on here is always post you water levels this helps the more experienced(?) fish keepers give you better advice.

 

[greenscooby]

I made the same mistake, take a look at Miss Wiggles fish-in cycle on the beginners page and follow that, it's what i'm doing and it's working, it'll take between 6 - 8 weeks but it'll be worth it. Also don't forget to do your water tests, i've been advised to do mine twice daily(which i'm doing) AND ANY ammonia above 0.25 i do a water change