how do i feed flakes?

[THEUNION1]

I have 3 new saddle clowns and right now i feed them mysis and artci pods. I wanted to feed them flakes in between feeding. I was told to feed them 3x a day and am afraid that feeding mysis/pods 3x is to much. Should i keep doing what i am doing or change it up? Any advise as to the best feeding regeme would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[MarineFlake]

Im probably stepping on a landmine here, but to me 3 x a day everyday in the absence of some serious filtration soulds like a NO3 problem in the making. I feed my whole tank once a day and "fast" a day every week or two. I don't know that there is a best feeding regime or a regime at all. What works for you as the reef keeper that keeps the animals healthy is the best regime. Not real helpful, I realize, but 3 x a day is a lot for a few clowns. Course, I don't know, maybe you have an 800G tank ; ) GL!

 

[vwmike]

Most fish really don't need to be fed that often. Feeding that often without skimming or other means of cleaning either means that the fish are eating and pooping a lot or a lot of the food is ending up remaining in the tank. Either way means you need to be watching your water quality.

When I feed I prefer sinking pellets and mysis, the flakes seem to float around and then drop into and clog my overflow. My fish will chase down the mysis and the pellets are heavy enough to sink to the bottom where my fish can get them later or my clean up crew takes care of it. I target feed my corals that need it with a long clearn tube.

 

[lmsmith]

I feed about 3 times a day to make sure everyone's eating, but I feed a very small bit each time. They eat out of a turkey baster, and will come and grab the food. Mine eat shrimp, pods, brine shrimp, flakes and pellets, but I soak the food for a few min before to get it to sink, then pick it up with the baster and let them come up and get it.

I do worry that it will mean they wont eat from other people if I go away, because they don't eat food that my partner puts in - maybe because it's not soaked first? They're pretty picky fish

 

[THEUNION1]

Thank guys for your responses. I actually got them pellets and they seam to really like them so i will stick to pellets, mysis and pods. I dont feed 3x a day only one small portion in the morning and same at night. I was just asking and my hunch was right.

Thanks again.

 

[OrionN]

I mix flakes with tank water in a cup and then put it in the tank. The current blew the flakes around the tank and the clowns just eat them up. I feed a small amount througout the day in my office tank (5+) The clowns really appreciated that very much.

 

[lloydkeller]

once aday is plenty

 

[OrionN]

Once a day is OK, but multiple times, small amout is better

 

[stevetcg]

I feed mine twice a day - once about an hour after lights on and another about an hour before lights out. I have had zero luck getting my Occelaris pair to eat anything but pellets - but they are balanced and they eat them heartily while the rest of the tank munches on seaweed or mysis so im not complaining.

When my clown see me coming, they swim to the two places where I drop the pellets. The male to his spot and the female to hers.

I know twice is probably excessive, but they eat it all and ive read that if you feed them more they are more likely to spawn. That is my goal.

 

[Toadally]

i mix flakes with tank water in a cup and then put it in the tank. The current blew the flakes around the tank and the clowns just eat them up. I feed a small amount througout the day in my office tank (5+) the clowns really appreciated that very much.

+1

 

[SPARTAN VI]

I mix flakes with tank water in a cup and then put it in the tank. The current blew the flakes around the tank and the clowns just eat them up. I feed a small amount througout the day in my office tank (5+) The clowns really appreciated that very much.

Same, otherwise the flakes will stick to the surface and end up in the surface skimmer pretty quickly.

I feed 3 times a week. And occasionally treat them with zoe soaked brine on the weekends.

 

[copokie]

I like feeding my percs as much as possible, most days i will feed 3-5 times but when I happen to stay home all day i will just feed about evey 2 hours. The clowns really love it and has helped their development very much.

As long as you have the appropriate filtration there isn't a problem

 

[bean59]

like stated above. i put in a small cup and add a little RO water then pour right in. i leave power heads on which keep food suspended in water. i feed twice a day. food is usually ate in less then a minute

 

[THEUNION1]

What flake do you use?