[Tarutan]

I have 2 platties, a neon blue dwarf gourami, and an african dwarf frog. Feeding time is so messy, even with the filter turned off, so many uneaten flakes sink during feeding straight to the bottom left to decay. I feed the frog sinking pellets and he eats it all. The platties sometimes ignore the flakes and go for the frog's pellets so I been thinking about feeding them pellets too.

I was just wondering if someone with more experience can give me ideas for food that are supreme quality for my fish, the water, and doesn't flake off sink and make a mess? I think platties and dwarf gouramis are omnivores. Price is no issue, but I don't want to get too complicated by getting frozen foods or multiple foods, or foods that you have to run out and by every week. Just want a really good food that gives great nutrition for my fish and doesn't leave such a mess.

Thanks!

 

[AbbeysDad]

I'm not sure flakes are the problem. Most flake foods remain suspended much longer than many/most pellets. If you have gravel, any food can get lost in the substrate before it is consumed. This is why I like a sand substrate better than gravel as everything stays on top.
Check the label on your flake food (post #7 in this thread: http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/freshwater-aquarium/tropical-fish-food-198570/)

Ensure you feed a proper, small amount...a very small amount three (or more) times a day is better than fewer, larger feedings.
If you have too much filter turbulence, maybe you need a baffle or in some cases, lift the inlet tube slightly or turn it off for feeding. (a simple baffle can be made from a plastic water bottle (check the DIY sub-forum for details).

regards,
AD

I have 2 platties, a neon blue dwarf gourami, and an african dwarf frog. Feeding time is so messy, even with the filter turned off, so many uneaten flakes sink during feeding straight to the bottom left to decay. I feed the frog sinking pellets and he eats it all. The platties sometimes ignore the flakes and go for the frog's pellets so I been thinking about feeding them pellets too.

I was just wondering if someone with more experience can give me ideas for food that are supreme quality for my fish, the water, and doesn't flake off sink and make a mess? I think platties and dwarf gouramis are omnivores. Price is no issue, but I don't want to get too complicated by getting frozen foods or multiple foods, or foods that you have to run out and by every week. Just want a really good food that gives great nutrition for my fish and doesn't leave such a mess.

Thanks!

 

[Agent13]

I wouldn't bother with the flake food. That tank would do well with some of the NLS pellets( I think they make some floating ones) ... But honestly you should feed the ADFs mostly frozen mysis shrimp, bloodworms, live or frozen brine shrimp(maybe once a week for that one). ADFs do much better with that type food but you'll need to distract your others with some yummys when you feed the frog. Feed it in the same spot each day and try to make sure it's close by so the others don't steal his food. You can scatter the pellets every once in a while so he can hunt for them...they're good at that and funny looking with their nose shoved down in the gravel sniffing for food. Also you'll want to deposit the frogs foods with a turkey baster with a little tank water so you get it in the right place.


I like sand too AbbysDad but ADFs shouldn't be on that. Gravel that isn't small enough to fit in their mouth and not sharp is safer.

BTW there are alot of other frozen/ live food options for the frog but I didn't feeling like listing all of them..some aren't easy to find

 

[essjay]

I ended up throwing my flake food out.. I have platy's, bristlenose and cory's and they all go nuts over algae wafers.. I crush one wafer per tank each day and they're loving it :-D They like the granulated food as well, but not as much. But the flakes, they'd pretty much play with it and let it all go to waste.. Fussy little tinkers!

 

[ZivaD]

I have never had that sort of issue feeding flake (or pellets, granulated, frozen, fresh, etc). I think AbbeysDad offered some very good input as to the issue of the type of food vs. feeding practice being the issue.

 

[1077]

If there is a lot of any type food not being eaten straight away,, then you may be feeding too much .
Have for year's fed all of my fishes once a day with exception of fry,who get two or three small feeding's each day.

 

[Agent13]

I have never had that sort of issue feeding flake (or pellets, granulated, frozen, fresh, etc). I think AbbeysDad offered some very good input as to the issue of the type of food vs. feeding practice being the issue.

Very true... Over feeding may be part of the issue. Can't speak on the platties never had them but I can tell you that a DG will eat from the top the middle the bottom another fishes mouth lol really anywhere. If they wanted it they would eat it off the bottom. Another option to avoid the mess is get a feeding ring. I have no clue why I didn't meantion that before because I use one and they learn to eat out of it in order to keep your tank a little more clean. it just sticks onto the side witha suction cup and you put the food in there.

 

[ZivaD]

I feed a variety of food types because I have fish that very much prefer one over the other - I use NLS pellets, Omega 1 flake and algae tablets, a variety of frozen foods and fresh veggies.