Real Newbie Question - Feeding

[Celtic Wanderer]

O.K. here's a let beginners question. How do I know if I am feeding my
fish enough. I know they say only as much as they can eat in three minutes.
However my guys would eat for ten minutes if I let them .

Also, how many times a day should they eat and can I get away with just once
a day?

Thanks for you patience

Celtic Wanderer
home.comcast.net/~celtic_wanderer

[Jim Anderson]

In article >,
says...

> O.K. here's a let beginners question. How do I know if I am feeding my
> fish enough. I know they say only as much as they can eat in three minutes.
> However my guys would eat for ten minutes if I let them .
>
> Also, how many times a day should they eat and can I get away with just once
> a day?
>
> Thanks for you patience
>
> Celtic Wanderer
> home.comcast.net/~celtic_wanderer
>
>
>
>

It really depends on the fish and tankmates. Some fish have small mouths
and some can not compete for food. Some people only feed once or twice
per week.

For the average newbee and his average fish, what they can eat in 3
minutes, once a day. If the fish start to get skinny, feed a little
more.

--
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

[Dick]

On Mon, 2 May 2005 19:05:02 -0400, "Celtic Wanderer"
> wrote:

>O.K. here's a let beginners question. How do I know if I am feeding my
>fish enough. I know they say only as much as they can eat in three minutes.
>However my guys would eat for ten minutes if I let them .
>
>Also, how many times a day should they eat and can I get away with just once
>a day?
>
>Thanks for you patience
>
>Celtic Wanderer
>home.comcast.net/~celtic_wanderer
>
>
The more usual problem is over feeding. However, I once tried
reducing my twice daily feeding to once a day just to see if I was
over feeding. This worked for the fish, but I noticed my live plants
were not looking so good. I went back to feeding twice daily and the
most of the plants recovered. I didn't repeat the experiment, could
have been coincidence.

How much to feed varies. In one 10 gallon tank I have Rasporas and 2
live bearers. The Rasporas are very finicky and only catch the right
flake as it goes to the bottom, whereas the Platty and the Molly eat
from the top and then will scrounge the bottom. I have no scavengers
in this tank, so I feed a small pinch trying to make some small and
leave some of the flakes large.

In a 75 gallon tank I have a lot of scavengers that keep the bottom
clean and need a lot of food (Plecos, Clown Loaches, Siamese Algae
Eaters, Tony Corries) then I have smaller mid tank fish and then
larger fish (including the Clowns and SAEs) such as Blue Gouramies
that eat from the top, middle usually darting about. For this tank, I
put in larger pinches, then go about feeding 3 other tanks then come
back and add another large pinch.

Then there is a 10 gallon tank, no gravel with large Molly, Platty and
a Swordtail with a twisted spine and mostly blind. This tank is a
special problem. The Molly and Platty are large and aggressive
eaters. I float a feeder to keep the flakes together and the 2 have
learned to eat from it, but the Sword has tried, but can't seem to
manuever into the 2 inch square. She eats from the glass bottom, but
it is mostly trial and error as she doesn't seem to see well enough to
get the flakes and her mouth to make direct connections. I tend to
put large flakes into the feeder with the thought she can find them
easier than small flakes.

Then I have another 10 gallon that has unique feeding problems. It
has a mix of platties, one molly, one SAE and 2 Clown Loaches. This
would normally be an easy group to feed, except for the 2 Clowns.
Unlike those in my 75 and 29 gallon tanks, these two are weird. I
have a large ceramic decorater piece that has large holes and a large
interior. The 2 Clowns often stay in the ornament and are very shy
about coming out to eat and will scurry back in a second if I move too
fast. The other fish are aggressive feeders, no problem, but these
two are cautious and picky, so I feed the rest easily, then wait until
one or both of the Clowns poke their head out to see what is
happening, then I put some more flakes for them. I know they eat from
the bottom later, but so do my live bearers.

As you can see, feeding patterns can vary depending on tank, fish and
your situation. So, simple instructions, "feed what they can eat in 2
minutes" is a starting formula, but you will have to alter it to fit
your tanks and fish.

dick

[Gill Passman]

"Dick" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 2 May 2005 19:05:02 -0400, "Celtic Wanderer"
> > wrote:
>
> >O.K. here's a let beginners question. How do I know if I am feeding my
> >fish enough. I know they say only as much as they can eat in three
minutes.
> >However my guys would eat for ten minutes if I let them .
> >
> >Also, how many times a day should they eat and can I get away with just
once
> >a day?
> >
> >Thanks for you patience
> >
> >Celtic Wanderer
> >home.comcast.net/~celtic_wanderer
> >
> >
> The more usual problem is over feeding. However, I once tried
> reducing my twice daily feeding to once a day just to see if I was
> over feeding. This worked for the fish, but I noticed my live plants
> were not looking so good. I went back to feeding twice daily and the
> most of the plants recovered. I didn't repeat the experiment, could
> have been coincidence.
>
> How much to feed varies. In one 10 gallon tank I have Rasporas and 2
> live bearers. The Rasporas are very finicky and only catch the right
> flake as it goes to the bottom, whereas the Platty and the Molly eat
> from the top and then will scrounge the bottom. I have no scavengers
> in this tank, so I feed a small pinch trying to make some small and
> leave some of the flakes large.
>
> In a 75 gallon tank I have a lot of scavengers that keep the bottom
> clean and need a lot of food (Plecos, Clown Loaches, Siamese Algae
> Eaters, Tony Corries) then I have smaller mid tank fish and then
> larger fish (including the Clowns and SAEs) such as Blue Gouramies
> that eat from the top, middle usually darting about. For this tank, I
> put in larger pinches, then go about feeding 3 other tanks then come
> back and add another large pinch.
>
> Then there is a 10 gallon tank, no gravel with large Molly, Platty and
> a Swordtail with a twisted spine and mostly blind. This tank is a
> special problem. The Molly and Platty are large and aggressive
> eaters. I float a feeder to keep the flakes together and the 2 have
> learned to eat from it, but the Sword has tried, but can't seem to
> manuever into the 2 inch square. She eats from the glass bottom, but
> it is mostly trial and error as she doesn't seem to see well enough to
> get the flakes and her mouth to make direct connections. I tend to
> put large flakes into the feeder with the thought she can find them
> easier than small flakes.
>
> Then I have another 10 gallon that has unique feeding problems. It
> has a mix of platties, one molly, one SAE and 2 Clown Loaches. This
> would normally be an easy group to feed, except for the 2 Clowns.
> Unlike those in my 75 and 29 gallon tanks, these two are weird. I
> have a large ceramic decorater piece that has large holes and a large
> interior. The 2 Clowns often stay in the ornament and are very shy
> about coming out to eat and will scurry back in a second if I move too
> fast. The other fish are aggressive feeders, no problem, but these
> two are cautious and picky, so I feed the rest easily, then wait until
> one or both of the Clowns poke their head out to see what is
> happening, then I put some more flakes for them. I know they eat from
> the bottom later, but so do my live bearers.
>
> As you can see, feeding patterns can vary depending on tank, fish and
> your situation. So, simple instructions, "feed what they can eat in 2
> minutes" is a starting formula, but you will have to alter it to fit
> your tanks and fish.
>
> dick

Like Dick I feed twice daily and varying amounts and different foodstuff
depending on the fish in the tank that I am feeding. I just figure that
feeding a smaller amount twice a day rather than a larger amount once a day
means there is a better chance of the fish eating what they are given with
less waste. I try to give as much variety as possible - not just flake. The
type of foods depend on the type of fish and their dietary requirements.

Actually, the two minute rule wouldn't work on any of my tanks - generally
everything is gone in less than one minute, but noone looks underfed. I do,
from time to time provide some cucumber in my main tank that everyone seems
to enjoy grazing on (Gouramis, Platys, SAE, Clowns, Pl*co and even the
Guppies).

The Mbunas in another tank would certainly keep eating forever if given the
chance. They come up to the front of the tank ever hopeful that food is on
it's way. The key, I think, is to resist feeding them again.

As Dick point out, different fish have different needs and will feed at
different locations in the tank. Mine, break these rules and I have Clown
Loaches that surface feed and Gouramis that will bottom feed. I also have
Mollie and Platy fry that turn up their noses at the finely powdered flake
and go straight for the Pl*co's sinking tablet.

Another advantage of doing the feeding twice a day means that you get two
good opportunity to do a head count....

What fish have you actually got?

Gill

[Mary Burns]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Dick" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Mon, 2 May 2005 19:05:02 -0400, "Celtic Wanderer"
>> > wrote:
>>
>> >O.K. here's a let beginners question. How do I know if I am feeding my
>> >fish enough. I know they say only as much as they can eat in three
> minutes.
>> >However my guys would eat for ten minutes if I let them .
>> >
>> >Also, how many times a day should they eat and can I get away with just
> once
>> >a day?
>> >
>> >Thanks for you patience
>> >
>> >Celtic Wanderer
>> >home.comcast.net/~celtic_wanderer
>> >
>> >
>> The more usual problem is over feeding. However, I once tried
>> reducing my twice daily feeding to once a day just to see if I was
>> over feeding. This worked for the fish, but I noticed my live plants
>> were not looking so good. I went back to feeding twice daily and the
>> most of the plants recovered. I didn't repeat the experiment, could
>> have been coincidence.
>>
>> How much to feed varies. In one 10 gallon tank I have Rasporas and 2
>> live bearers. The Rasporas are very finicky and only catch the right
>> flake as it goes to the bottom, whereas the Platty and the Molly eat
>> from the top and then will scrounge the bottom. I have no scavengers
>> in this tank, so I feed a small pinch trying to make some small and
>> leave some of the flakes large.
>>
>> In a 75 gallon tank I have a lot of scavengers that keep the bottom
>> clean and need a lot of food (Plecos, Clown Loaches, Siamese Algae
>> Eaters, Tony Corries) then I have smaller mid tank fish and then
>> larger fish (including the Clowns and SAEs) such as Blue Gouramies
>> that eat from the top, middle usually darting about. For this tank, I
>> put in larger pinches, then go about feeding 3 other tanks then come
>> back and add another large pinch.
>>
>> Then there is a 10 gallon tank, no gravel with large Molly, Platty and
>> a Swordtail with a twisted spine and mostly blind. This tank is a
>> special problem. The Molly and Platty are large and aggressive
>> eaters. I float a feeder to keep the flakes together and the 2 have
>> learned to eat from it, but the Sword has tried, but can't seem to
>> manuever into the 2 inch square. She eats from the glass bottom, but
>> it is mostly trial and error as she doesn't seem to see well enough to
>> get the flakes and her mouth to make direct connections. I tend to
>> put large flakes into the feeder with the thought she can find them
>> easier than small flakes.
>>
>> Then I have another 10 gallon that has unique feeding problems. It
>> has a mix of platties, one molly, one SAE and 2 Clown Loaches. This
>> would normally be an easy group to feed, except for the 2 Clowns.
>> Unlike those in my 75 and 29 gallon tanks, these two are weird. I
>> have a large ceramic decorater piece that has large holes and a large
>> interior. The 2 Clowns often stay in the ornament and are very shy
>> about coming out to eat and will scurry back in a second if I move too
>> fast. The other fish are aggressive feeders, no problem, but these
>> two are cautious and picky, so I feed the rest easily, then wait until
>> one or both of the Clowns poke their head out to see what is
>> happening, then I put some more flakes for them. I know they eat from
>> the bottom later, but so do my live bearers.
>>
>> As you can see, feeding patterns can vary depending on tank, fish and
>> your situation. So, simple instructions, "feed what they can eat in 2
>> minutes" is a starting formula, but you will have to alter it to fit
>> your tanks and fish.
>>
>> dick
>
> Like Dick I feed twice daily and varying amounts and different foodstuff
> depending on the fish in the tank that I am feeding. I just figure that
> feeding a smaller amount twice a day rather than a larger amount once a
> day
> means there is a better chance of the fish eating what they are given with
> less waste. I try to give as much variety as possible - not just flake.
> The
> type of foods depend on the type of fish and their dietary requirements.
>
> Actually, the two minute rule wouldn't work on any of my tanks - generally
> everything is gone in less than one minute, but noone looks underfed. I
> do,
> from time to time provide some cucumber in my main tank that everyone
> seems
> to enjoy grazing on (Gouramis, Platys, SAE, Clowns, Pl*co and even the
> Guppies).
>
> The Mbunas in another tank would certainly keep eating forever if given
> the
> chance. They come up to the front of the tank ever hopeful that food is on
> it's way. The key, I think, is to resist feeding them again.
>
> As Dick point out, different fish have different needs and will feed at
> different locations in the tank. Mine, break these rules and I have Clown
> Loaches that surface feed and Gouramis that will bottom feed. I also have
> Mollie and Platy fry that turn up their noses at the finely powdered flake
> and go straight for the Pl*co's sinking tablet.
>
> Another advantage of doing the feeding twice a day means that you get two
> good opportunity to do a head count....
>
> What fish have you actually got?
>
> Gill
>
>I agree with 2 small meals a day, usually gone in seconds not minutes. My
>platies and clowns are top and bottom feeders depending on the type of food
>In my 65g I add food on left at the top and on right lower down. The all
>come to top and love eating lower down as well. It give the cories a chance
>to get food as well, as there is nothing left to scavenge with hungry
>platies, angels and clowns. My angels turn upside down to get at algae
>wafers for the clowns/cories/otos. None of them like flake, especially as I
>can get live bloodworm/daphnia and ignore it inless they are really hungry.

[Derek Benson]

On Mon, 2 May 2005 19:05:02 -0400, "Celtic Wanderer"
> wrote:

>O.K. here's a let beginners question. How do I know if I am feeding my
>fish enough. I know they say only as much as they can eat in three minutes.
>However my guys would eat for ten minutes if I let them .
>
>Also, how many times a day should they eat and can I get away with just once
>a day?

As much as they can eat in two minures, 2 or three times a day. It
doesn't matter if its 2 times a day or three times, the difference in
total daily food consumed by any given fish would be 33% (?); this
will make no difference, the fish are still getting enough.

Also, if one feeds only once a day, one should not give them 4 minutes
of eating. Still only as much as is thoroughly consumed in two
minutes.

However, young fish and fry receive a large advantage if they are fed
much more often. The fish we buy in stores are typically juveniles,
the vast majority anyway. It's helpful to feed them more often, like
five times a day, and give maybe a little less: as much as they eat in
a minute or a tad longer.

-Derek