my first fish... how do i feed it?!

[pixelpixi]

I'm embarrassed to admit that after all the research I've done, all the effort I've put into building and setting up my tank, and all the time I've spent waiting for the tank to cycle, I'm still unclear on how I should feed my first fish.

The LFS sold me some pellets (New Life Spectrum Marine Formula), but they sink and the little guy mostly misses them. (he's a blue green chromis) Also I have to shut off the pump so the food doesn't go down the overflow, and the powerhead so the food doesn't get sucked off the surface of the water and sink.

It seems that if I turn everything off and crush the pellets so they're easier to eat and don't sink as easily it works okay. Is that really the best way? Should I be using a different type of food or feeding him with a different method?

I had hoped to set up an auto feeder (the tank is in my office and I'm not there on the weekends), but that doesn't seem practical if I have to turn off the pump and powerhead.

Help!

 

[PadresGirl]

In my experience, pellets sink more easily than flakes. Try some flake! Just don't feed too much; you'll have nutrient problems.

 

[TaubBaer]

My blue green chromis LOVES those Ocean Nutition Formula Two Flake Food.

 

[pixelpixi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12542451#post12542451 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PadresGirl
In my experience, pellets sink more easily than flakes. Try some flake! Just don't feed too much; you'll have nutrient problems.

Okay, I'll give flakes a shot! How about turning off the pumps? I assume I'll still need to do that?

What do other people here do?

thanks!

 

[BangkokMatt]

No need to turn off the pumps. The fish will catch flake easily.

 

[pixelpixi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12542503#post12542503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BangkokMatt
No need to turn off the pumps. The fish will catch flake easily.

Won't the flakes just fall on the surface of the water and then go straight down the overflow?

 

[BangkokMatt]

not if you take a pinch of flake thenactually place it in the water column and swish it around. Then let go.
If some goes down the overflow it won't matter too much anyway.

Even if you carried on using pellets your fish would soon learn to catch them.

 

[pixelpixi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12542560#post12542560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BangkokMatt
not if you take a pinch of flake thenactually place it in the water column and swish it around. Then let go.
If some goes down the overflow it won't matter too much anyway.

Even if you carried on using pellets your fish would soon learn to catch them.

Oh, I see. Okay. I'll give that a shot! I'll still have to figure something else out for the auto feeder, I guess.

Thank you!

 

[PadresGirl]

Good luck and welcome to a wonderful hobby!

 

[pixelpixi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12542760#post12542760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PadresGirl
Good luck and welcome to a wonderful hobby!

Thanks!

 

[yahutch]

chromis will usually eat anything from anywhere in the water column once they've settled in . The pellet food you were sold is good stuff , I noticed much brighter colors in my fish when I started feeding it . I would keep feeding it in small amounts until the fish gets the hang of it. That way you can still use your auto feeder .

 

[sjj80]

I'm pretty sure your chromis will eat what you bought, I would definitely get some frozen foods as well. Try to build up a variety of foods over time, I'd get some frozen mysis, krill, prime reef, and cyclopeeze.

 

[JoeMomma]

The best way to feed fish in this hobby is to take them out of the water and hold them in a net. Then push food into their mouth with tweezers. Once their mouth is full put them back into the water and they will swallow it.

 

[saltwater4life1]

You can buy a feeding ring so the flakes don't go down the overflow. it keeps the food inside.

 

[pixelpixi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12550948#post12550948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JoeMomma
The best way to feed fish in this hobby is to take them out of the water and hold them in a net. Then push food into their mouth with tweezers. Once their mouth is full put them back into the water and they will swallow it.

I tried this, and it worked pretty well! After a week or so, the fish learned to just float at the top of the tank with it's belly up, so I could drop food right on it. Perfect!

 

[pixelpixi]

PS, I also got some flake food and a feeder ring for the other fish I have now. You know, the ones which aren't so good at the belly floating. ;-)

That seems to be working really well. The feeder ring holds the food in place, and it then falls into the water column more slowly, giving them more time to eats their delishy flakeses. Works great with the auto feeder and makes me a happy fishmom.

The chromis, as well as the firefish, cleaner shrimp, hermit crabs, and snails I have now all seem to be happy and healthy so far. Thanks for the help, everyone!