How much is toooooo much ??

[skimpy]

OK everyone, can you all help me out. I understand what is said about feeding fish.

i.e. Do not feed more that fish eat in 5 minutes etc. but what does that mean in actual quantity.

For example, it does not seem to matter how much I put into the tank - all the food seems to be gone in less than 1 minute

Do I have greedy fish or am I underfeeding them, they always seem to be hungry.

I have 13 fish, (listed below) and I give them a pinch of just over 1/2 teaspoon twice a day. I also put in a slice of cucumber or an algae wafer alternately (supposed to be for Harry the Bristlenose catfish) but the Molly's and Guppy's demolish that very quickly also.

So talking in an actual teaspoon size (for a cup of tea) how much do you suggest I feed them with flake

Thanks in advance

 

[JamesTasker]

I feed my 16 'normal' fishes - i.e. ones that swim around during the day, two small pinches a day, so maybe quarter of a teaspoon. I also feed cucumber occasionally, frozen tropical mix once a week instead of the flakes, (about half a cube) and half a sinking pellet every other day for the kuhli loaches (fed at night). Oh yes, and one day off a week.

Healthy fish should be hungry. You are much more likely to overfeed than underfeed and overfeeding causes many more deaths than underfeeding.

 

[canarsie11]

Dont let your fish guilt you into feeding.

Greedy is for humans not fish

 

[tstenback]

A fish that is constantly looking for food is a healthy fish. This is what they do so as has been said dont let them scam you into more food, they are doing fine.

 

[skimpy]

Obviously the fish all take me for a sucker

Every time I go near the tank they look excited and swim to the top as if to say "yes yes yes - she's gonna feed us" or the "FEED ME NOW" look.

It is really hard to resist, but I do understand I must be strong and toughen up.

Oh yes, and one day off a week

Is "one day off a week" good then. Which day do you choose, a normal day, or would tank cleaning day be good.

If I did "one day off a week" I assume this does not apply to the fry. The fry I am feeding tiny tiny amounts 3 times a day at present. They are in a net so its easy to do, but it does upset the others when they see they are not getting any. B)

Life with fish never a dull moment

 

[JamesTasker]

Oh yes, and one day off a week

Is "one day off a week" good then. Which day do you choose, a normal day, or would tank cleaning day be good.

If I did "one day off a week" I assume this does not apply to the fry.

Yes it is, to make sure the fish are not overfed, and it doesnt really matter what day. On water change day I tend to feed the frozen food because it can get messy, and if it does I can just siphon the excess out so it doesn't pollute the tank.

And no it doesnt apply to the fry

 

[skimpy]

Thanks a lot everyone, I'll get hard and I like the "one day off" theory, I'll give that a go too.

 

[canarsie11]

I usually do 2 off days a week