Feeding and community questions

[noelberg]

I've got a 2-inch female swordtail, whose intelligence I sometimes question. She seems to not go up to the top and eat the Nutrafin Max flakes like the other two (smaller male and female). I also have 2 blackskirt tetras, 2 small (they each have a black stripe on the dorsal fin), 1 cory cat, 1 rubberlip pleco, and two glass (ghost) cats in addition to the 3 swordtails. This is in a 20 gallon tank with a penguin Biofilter mini and two small rooted plants. The tetras are quick and will eat most of the food while the big female swordie stays below the surface. The other swordies eat some off the surface.
1) Should I buy special food for the swordtails? Maybe something that sinks or some sort of biological food like shrimp pellets, etc.
2) I want to add a few fish to get more color. I'm think about some sort of combo between a betta, cherry barbs, neons, blue botia (orange tail), or clown loach. Does my cory cat need a mate as well? Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jason

 

[wetwetwet]

Hi Jason,

If you release some of the flake under the water then this may give the swordtail more of a chance at feeding time

Corys are shoaling species and are happiest in groups...

You can never go too far wrong with a few neons/cardinals for a bit of colour

You will also need to keep an eye on your stocking densities when you add more fish




www

 

[noelberg]

Thanks for the tip wetwetwet! The swordies are doing well and the glass cats are getting more food now, too. Still don't know about that big female though. She's either aloof or stupid ... don't think she's pregnant, but this is my first time with swordtails.