Are my fish hungry?

[ecarso10]

I have 8 guppies, 2 mollies and 4 penguin tetra.

We had an algae problem likely due to us over feeding the fish.

Some fish good said 2 or 3 tines a day as much as they’ll eat in a minute or something like that.

The woman at pet shop showed me how much to put in the tank which was a small pinch once a day. She also said it’s hard to starve fish do if algae problem is back we could feed every other day until sorted. It hasn’t come back.

We have been feeding once per day for a few weeks now.

When I put the food in the move so fast to get it. I make sure everyone has had some but try not to put in much more unless needed.

The fish usually respond to movement but it’s different now. If I had my hand in the tank to say place or move an ornament they would avoid my hand. If I was touching the top of the water to get a sample for testing they would keep away or swim away if too near.

Now when I do this they touch my hand (got the fright of my life the first time!) or when I put the syringe in they are touching it with their mouths.

Are they hungry or are they just more confident? It was a new tank for us about 2 months ago

 

[PheonixKingZ]

They are probably scared of your hand, as a hand (with a net) is what snatched them out of the tank at the pet store.

Just from your avatar, your tank seems really cloudy. What are you using to cycle your tank? Have you cycled it yet?
(If not read up here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first.421488/)

What brand of food are you using?

When fish “attack” your hand, they are usually just exploring.

 

[ecarso10]

I put another post on about the tank.

It is usually crystal clear but was a bit hazy this week. Last water change was yesterday at 8am. All levels are good but our gravel vacuum suction hasn’t been as good as it was so think this might be the issue. We have a new one being delivered tomorrow then will see

We we’re using Hikari which came with the tank set up but when we got the guppies we were told this might not be the best. We have since switched to ‘Love Fish - Tropcial flakes’ which they all seem to gobble up.

They usually swim away when I need to put my hand in the tank so was worried they were hungry when they started coming up and touching my hand

 

[BoomerXIV]

I have 8 guppies, 2 mollies and 4 penguin tetra.

We had an algae problem likely due to us over feeding the fish.

Some fish good said 2 or 3 tines a day as much as they’ll eat in a minute or something like that.

The woman at pet shop showed me how much to put in the tank which was a small pinch once a day. She also said it’s hard to starve fish do if algae problem is back we could feed every other day until sorted. It hasn’t come back.

We have been feeding once per day for a few weeks now.

When I put the food in the move so fast to get it. I make sure everyone has had some but try not to put in much more unless needed.

The fish usually respond to movement but it’s different now. If I had my hand in the tank to say place or move an ornament they would avoid my hand. If I was touching the top of the water to get a sample for testing they would keep away or swim away if too near.

Now when I do this they touch my hand (got the fright of my life the first time!) or when I put the syringe in they are touching it with their mouths.

Are they hungry or are they just more confident? It was a new tank for us about 2 months ago

How long do you keep your lights on?

 

[HoldenOn]

Nope, I feed my fish once every 2 days. Fish aren't mammals and thus don't need food to keep themselves warm, meaning they don't need as much to eat.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I put another post on about the tank.

It is usually crystal clear but was a bit hazy this week. Last water change was yesterday at 8am. All levels are good but our gravel vacuum suction hasn’t been as good as it was so think this might be the issue. We have a new one being delivered tomorrow then will see

We we’re using Hikari which came with the tank set up but when we got the guppies we were told this might not be the best. We have since switched to ‘Love Fish - Tropcial flakes’ which they all seem to gobble up.

They usually swim away when I need to put my hand in the tank so was worried they were hungry when they started coming up and touching my hand

Ok, never mind about the water quality, I’ll check out your other thread after this.

When they come to your hand, do they all do this at once? Or just a few? Do you feel them nipping at your hand?

 

[ecarso10]

Too long we found out!

We were putting it on in the morning around 8am and off at 10pm but recently was advised to only have it on a few hours during the day and not all day.

We’ve been putting it on about 8am and turning it off at lunchtime then on for an hour in evening. Still not sure if that’s right

 

[ecarso10]

Ok, never mind about the water quality, I’ll check out your other thread after this.

When they come to your hand, do they all do this at once? Or just a few? Do you feel them nipping at your hand?

yes a few of them swim near me but only one or two actually touch me

 

[ecarso10]

How long do you keep your lights on?

Sorry I replied without clicking the reply button

 

[PheonixKingZ]

yes a few of them swim near me but only one or two actually touch me

I think they are just exploring I’m no livebearer expert either... @emeraldking, do your livebearers do this?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

My mollies come and eat out of my hand. The guppies sometimes, but they're not as bold as the mollies.
If you feed some defrosted frozen food like tubifex worms, hold them in your hand and let the fish eat from your hand, it's cute!

Somehow my fish seem to know when I'm putting my hand in to catch them or re-arrange things in the tank, vs when I'm going to feed them, and respond accordingly.

No, I wouldn't take it as an indication that they're starving. Fish are opportunistic feeders, and will always act as though they're hungry. Some would keep eating even if they were swollen with food already. Most people (including me!) tend to over feed, rather than underfeed, which isn't good. We attach a lot of human emotions to providing food, the worry that they might be hungry, etc. But over feeding isn't good.

 

[ecarso10]

My mollies come and eat out of my hand. The guppies sometimes, but they're not as bold as the mollies.
If you feed some defrosted frozen food like tubifex worms, hold them in your hand and let the fish eat from your hand, it's cute!

Somehow my fish seem to know when I'm putting my hand in to catch them or re-arrange things in the tank, vs when I'm going to feed them, and respond accordingly.

No, I wouldn't take it as an indication that they're starving. Fish are opportunistic feeders, and will always act as though they're hungry. Some would keep eating even if they were swollen with food already. Most people (including me!) tend to over feed, rather than underfeed, which isn't good. We attach a lot of human emotions to providing food, the worry that they might be hungry, etc. But over feeding isn't good.

thanks that’s really helpful

I’m just so invested!

That’s pretty cute

 

[emeraldking]

I think they are just exploring I’m no livebearer expert either... @emeraldking, do your livebearers do this?

Most of the time it's matter of time before fish will eat out of your hand. If they're coming towards you while you're standing there, it's most likely that they're expecting food. But most fish have just a few hobbies all day long, and most known is their search for food. But they don't need that much food, even if they seem hungry all the time. In general, I feed my fish once till twice a day (mostly once a day). And one day a week I won't feed them. So, they can go on a search for food themselves. There's always food in the tank that they've missed eating before.

 

[ecarso10]

Most of the time it's matter of time before fish will eat out of your hand. If they're coming towards you while you're standing there, it's most likely that they're expecting food. But most fish have just a few hobbies all day long, and most known is their search for food. But they don't need that much food, even if they seem hungry all the time. In general, I feed my fish once till twice a day (mostly once a day). And one day a week I won't feed them. So, they can go on a search for food themselves. There's always food in the tank that they've missed eating before.

Thanks. Yes they seem much more inquisitive and bold now. It is taking a bit of getting to used to them coming up against my hand/arm when I’m cleaning the tank