How many mouthfulls?

[aquadonkey]

Good morning all

Noob question of the day:

How many mouthfuls is enough to feed all of my critters?
They (like my beagle) would most likely eat themselves (and the tank) sick, so obviously I can't use that as an indicator. Usually I just try to see that everyone gets one of two mouthfuls. One small pellet or one mysis shrimp (or piece of shrimp) equals one mouthful.
I've also been keeping track of nitrates as a way of gauging whether I'm feeding too much. I fed heavily when I got my sun coral and the nitrates ended up at 2.5.
My cleaner shrimp once got about 10 mysis shrimp in one feeding (lot of stealing). This was before I learned to be violent with the feeding baster
But - maybe he needs that much food? I've had trouble keeping pep shrimp - maybe they're not getting enough to eat?
So how many mouthfuls for fish and shrimp?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

since everyone's aquarium is unique it's difficult to give a general recommendation for feeding.

The best advice I cab give you is to locate the organism in your aquarium that requires the most supplemental feeding and target it. Watch for skinny belly syndrome.

For example, in my case I target my gigantea anemone and my large Angelfish. Everyone else gets the leftovers.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Agree with Gary.

I do notice that acans,chalices,blasto and rics in my tank benefit greatly from target feeding once a week.I feed across the mouths and most grab instantly.

The peppermint shrimp ,personally I think should be regrouped in the hobby.Imo, they are anything but reefsafe.Piracy is probably the best word I can think of.I have fed acans and literaly have to babysit to keep them at bay.The peppermint shrimp will reach right inside an acan and pull food from deep inside it.
I've tried to feed the shrimp first thinking they'd leave others alone to feed but even that didn't work out to well.They'd quickly consume what was given then pursue an acan.
Just my thoughts.
Most would agree that certain crabs aren't reefsafe but for some reason shrimp dont get the same bad rap.
I also, think they resort to canabalism when given the oportunity.Probably during molts is when the'd be most vunerable to attack by another shrimp.No proof but "gut feeling"as Im at a loss why I kept ending up with just 2 shrimp 1 small male and larger female noted by the roe of yellow eggs on underside.

 

[aquadonkey]

Thanks for the info guys.
As far as shrimp go, I have had more trouble with the red cleaner being an annoying little thief. HOWEVER, it doesn't even try to come near my sun coral any more when it's eating. Can it be that the little bugger is trained?
So - I should just concentrate on feeding my suns and let anyone else get the left-overs?
Still getting used to how voraciously my fish eat.... they seem starving, but then again - so does my beagle......

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

with Tubastrea

with Tubastrea

I would give the motile critters something to chew on before feeding the coral...
or remove the coral for feedings.

 

[SamandRichies55]

I just fed my Ric a small krill and it gobbled it right up I don't think I would do that more than once/twice a week since it's still kinda small and only has one mouth, but if it became bigger I would up the feeding, especially if I was fragging and wanting it to grow fast.