my silver dollars are wierd!?!

[leroy]

Over the past couple of days i have notice that my silver dollars have taken a liking to fish poo , and not only that they have a preferance , they seem to only eat the poo of my severum. When fish normally grab poo they spit it out or it comes out of the gills, but the silver dollars are eating it. .
Is this anything to worry about or are they gaining some nutrition from it???
thx for any help!

 

[Lateral Line]

Well, assuming they are getting enough food under normal circumstances, they are eating this stuff by choice, so short of isolating them, I doubt you can stop them if that is what they want.

Some fish have less then perfect digestive systems, I don't know about severums, but cichlids in general are known as "messy" fish - it could well be their excrement contains material of use. You might ask the same question on NW Cichlids.

Some mammals are also very inefficient digesters of food, a whole swarm of animals make a living from elephant dung for example. Indeed, it is not uncommon to see elephants eating elephant dung.

 

[swampcat]

You won't be able to stop your dollars from eating the poo. Try feeding them sprilina algea pellets or sticks . These guys are really plant eaters and may prefer this food.

 

[leroy]

I have been feeding them algea pellets but they still keep follow the uderside of my cichlids waiting for there poo to drop!

 

[Lateral Line]

Hmmm, business opportunity? "leroy's SD Xtra!" 100% organic!

 

[leroy]

MMMMM thats a gd idea!

 

[Iron Man]

He's right about cichlids. So many of them are very excitable and at the instant you go to feed them they will poop their guts out...I guess in order to make new room for what they're about to eat?

I've seen people advise not to feed cichlids a lot very often because it does no more good than moderate feeding....they don't get more nutrition out of the increased feeding they just poop it out faster. Something to consider.

But following them around waiting for their poop? that's funny

 

[leroy]

I might cut down on the amount i feed them then!

 

[Metermaid]

My Mbuna cichlids follow the Sailfin Plec around - and pounce on his poo ! - ah well, each to his own I suppose