Feeding Dwarf Gourami With Fast Tank Mates

[ZoddyZod]

Hello all,

Purchased a fantastic Dwarf Blue Neon yesterday. Went to feed some flake this morning and quickly realised that he's not got much chance of getting any because of the 11 Zebra Danios that share the tank.

I was thinking about getting some sinking pellets so that he has more of a chance (Danios ignore anything that floats down until they've cleared the surface). Are these suitable?

Anything else that you could suggest?

 

[Curiosity101]

So long as you pick a good type of sinking pellet then that's absolutely fine. I feed my fish a mixture of all sorts...

I have a tub (I think it's king british) which is a mixture of flake and dried bloodworm.
King british algae wafers
Nutrafin Cichlid pellets
Frozen Bloodworm

And there may be more stuff that I've just forgotten about..

 

[keenonfish]

Release the flake underwater whilst simultaneously scattering a little on the surface?
I have never fed flake on the surface tbh it is not natural for mid swimming community fish to feed like this all the time anyway. I am sure in time your danios will prefer mid water feeding and then your gourami can get more food as it is more evenly distributed by the water currents..

Oh and I usually reduce the size of the flake by crushing between my fingers too which helps distribution.

 

[ZoddyZod]

King british algae wafers
Nutrafin Cichlid pellets
Frozen Bloodworm

they'll eat algae wafers from the floor?

The King British stuff sounds good, didnt know you could get 'mixed' foods. Will have a browse when I go shopping tonight.

cheers.

Release the flake underwater whilst simultaneously scattering a little on the surface?

I am sure in time your danios will prefer mid water feeding

Oh and I usually reduce the size of the flake by crushing between my fingers too which helps distribution.

Tried to release it underwater before but it turned to mush in my fingers and stuck together.

The danios seem perfectly happy feeding from the surface. When I crumbled the flake smaller, it sits on the surface longer which helps them get it all. Tried doing whole flakes and only a few made it past them but the gourami wasn't quick enough to get there. Only been 1 day though so hopefully he'll learn.

 

[Curiosity101]

The gourami will eat from the floor yes.

I would suggest buying some slow sinking pellets, preferably meaty, for the gourami. And also supplementing those with some slow sinking algae pellets/wafers.
If you feed wafers try to crumble them up a bit and just drop in gourami sized bits.

 

[ZoddyZod]

The gourami will eat from the floor yes.

I would suggest buying some slow sinking pellets, preferably meaty, for the gourami. And also supplementing those with some slow sinking algae pellets/wafers.
If you feed wafers try to crumble them up a bit and just drop in gourami sized bits.

ok, thanks for the tips. I've got a BN in there now also so algae wafers were on the shopping list. Will add some meaty pellets.

 

[keenonfish]

Release the flake underwater whilst simultaneously scattering a little on the surface?

I am sure in time your danios will prefer mid water feeding

Oh and I usually reduce the size of the flake by crushing between my fingers too which helps distribution.

Tried to release it underwater before but it turned to mush in my fingers and stuck together.

The danios seem perfectly happy feeding from the surface. When I crumbled the flake smaller, it sits on the surface longer which helps them get it all. Tried doing whole flakes and only a few made it past them but the gourami wasn't quick enough to get there. Only been 1 day though so hopefully he'll learn.

Wow, never had that problem before..! Maybe you are not releasing quick enough and / or the pieces are too big?

 

[ZoddyZod]

Wow, never had that problem before..! Maybe you are not releasing quick enough and / or the pieces are too big?

for which part, releasing them under water or crushing them?

 

[keenonfish]

Wow, never had that problem before..! Maybe you are not releasing quick enough and / or the pieces are too big?

for which part, releasing them under water or crushing them?

Ahh definitely crush before getting wet, then dip hands underwater and sort of flick them away. In fact I tend to crush most the contents of the tub anyway that way it is easier. That's the way I do it anyway. Still go with the different foods as above as well though.

I am sure your gourami will learn to watch out for it's self when settled though. Mine certainly do!

 

[ZoddyZod]

Ahh definitely crush before getting wet, then dip hands underwater and sort of flick them away.

I am sure your gourami will learn to watch out for it's self when settled though. Mine certainly do!

ok, will give that technique a whirl to.

 

[wiggy742]

Hi there

I know the problem your going through as i have 4 Zebra's and a Dwarf Gourami, they too would eat all the food before the dwarf got there! In the end i dropped a few pellets at the front for the zebra's then very quickly after, would chuck some at the back of the tank for the dwarf.

Paul

 

[ZoddyZod]

In the end i dropped a few pellets at the front for the zebra's then very quickly after, would chuck some at the back of the tank for the dwarf.

Sounds like a good tactic.

Tried some algae wafers yesterday, seems to enjoy those. Has a little bit......goes to back of tank. 2hrs later, has a little bit.......and so on.

Not exactly a veracious eater!

 

[wiggy742]

In the end i dropped a few pellets at the front for the zebra's then very quickly after, would chuck some at the back of the tank for the dwarf.

Sounds like a good tactic.

Tried some algae wafers yesterday, seems to enjoy those. Has a little bit......goes to back of tank. 2hrs later, has a little bit.......and so on.

Not exactly a veracious eater!

Sounds just like mine! Least i know if there is any food left over the danio's will soon gobble it up, and not worry too much about uneaten food getting into the filter.