Fish Not Getting Fair Share Of Food

[inarnia]

Yesterday I noticed that my molly was swimming very slowly, with rocking motions, and finding it difficult to change direction or target where he specifically wanted to suck (he loves to suck EVERYTHING but especially the rubber thermometer sucker). I was really worried because he is one of my favourites. He is a bit of a runt compared to the other mollies and quite a loner.

Anyway I then fed the other fish and they all came rushing in to the food, mad for it, but the little runty molly didn't. I realised, then, that he very rarely rushes into the scrum. I always just leave him to it, presuming that he will find something in the substrate or that something will float his way. But last night, because he seemed off, I decided to hand feed him a few flakes from between my fingers, and he took them gladly.

Today he is right as rain. Do you think it was a coincidence or not? Would a fish rather make itself ill through lack of food than enter the scrum for the food? (there is no aggression in the tank, nobody ever bothers him, so I don't think it would be fear?) I'll definitely pay closer attention at feeding time now in any case...

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I would say to try to train him to get fed in a different spot than the rest. Put the food on one side for the rest of them, and then feed him off to the other side with just a little. See how it goes. Chances are, if he is in fact a runt, that there are other issues lying beneath the surface that you just can't see. Unfortunately, it is because of those things that the runts are so small and weak compared to the others, which is why they are more docile and less likely to get into the scrums for food.

In other words, don't be shocked if things don't go well for it in the future. My brother-in-law got a beagle runt a while back - as sweet a dog as you'd ever meet. But, the blood didn't flow to its liver properly, and so it slowly poisoned itself with every meal. It never got to the proper size and he had to put it down before it turned 3. I hope that I am completely wrong about this, but runts don't usually fair well in the long run - whether fish or mammal. Keep an eye on things and I hope it all turns out well for the little guy.