Food Question

[steven_yyz]

I have two questions concerning food...

1. I bought a starter kit and the food it came with had the flakes and some bugs in it? Is that normal? They looked like little hard shelled beetles. I threw it out, the food was also clumped together.

2. I bought new food, the pellet kind that floats. The fish like it but they are small fish (see signature below) and the food kind of puffed up. The fish would take the pellet in its mouth and then spit it out then take it back in etc. Is this normal? Are they just eating it slowly? The food says for all tropical fish.

Thanks!

steven_yyz

 

[Dragonslair]

Steven,
To answer your first question. No, that doesn't right about bugs in the food and that the food was clumped together. Have a look at the sell by date. Then check that the seal wasn't broken. If either were suspect then you have the right to take it back to the lfs where you bought your "complete" kit and ask for a replacement of the food. you will also need your receipt.
Next about the food. Pelleted food are ideal for fish, however it does mean you need to know how big a mouth you are feeding. Micro pellets from Hakari foods are ideal for your fish. I would initially stick to the good branded flaked foods. These easily dissolve in water and are easily digested by many livebearers, such as guppies and swordtails. Occassionally supplement their diet with frozen bloodworm. They love them. Remember to defrost the "cubes" first.
You can buy many different types of frozen foods, but for livebearers I have found, bloodworm, glassworm and daphnia to be favorites. Use them as you would use a treat for your pet.
I hope that I have given you a little insight, you will undoubtly get other answers, because it is a personal choice what you feed your fish.

 

[steven_yyz]

Ahhh...another trip to the fish store.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Dragonslair]

You are very welcome.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

he fish would take the pellet in its mouth and then spit it out then take it back in etc. Is this normal?

Yes, very normal. Pellets take a few seconds to soften in the water, so the fish may need to make a couple of attempts even if they are small pellets.

 

[White Whale]

Yes, very normal. Pellets take a few seconds to soften in the water, so the fish may need to make a couple of attempts even if they are small pellets.

My little guys crunch them down as is. They sound like little kids eating a bowl of cereal.

 

[snowyangel]

..... The fish would take the pellet in its mouth and then spit it out then take it back in etc. Is this normal? Are they just eating it slowly? The food says for all tropical fish.

Very normal. My fish often do this with the brine shrimp pellets i give them. Sometimes they even do it with the flakes too(like is the flake gets too soft they wont like it), but what one fish spits out often another fish will eat