Greedy fish!

abbye

I know platies and mollies are known for being enthusiastic about food, but my fish seem to always be starving! When I put food in they all fight for it at the top and push each other out the way and chase each other, etc. The gourami and neon tetras don't do this. I know this is probably normal but they get really aggressive. I think all of the females are pregnant but one of my platies is very pregnant (she's huge!) and I have a litttle breeding tank with loads of fry in - whenever she's finished eating her food, she goes and sucks the food out of the fry tank from the slits that let water in, and she just will not leave it alone. She'll stay there for ages, and then go and eat the algae on the walls or plants. Does she need this much food because she's pregnant? I used to feed them all three times a day but at one point my fish were all really fat so I started feeding them just twice. Is there any way I can calm them down a bit? Should I reduce the temperature?

Falina

What temprature is the tank at? Higer temperatures can increase metabolisms but it shouldn't make too much of a difference asuming the tank is at an adequate temperature.

Fish are gredy eaters and will eat at every oppertunity. Livebearers, I have found, are very enthusiastic feeders.

I find feeding twice a day unnecessary and in act I feed only every second day. You just have to ignore their guilt trips.

abbye

Thanks for your advice, the temp is currently 24 degrees.

Falina

that temp should be fine. Just try not to give in to their guilt trips. Once fish learn that your presence means food they will get quite excited to see you.