Can fish over eat?

[Damsel13]

Hi, me again

Since I started feeding formula one pellets, mysis w/vitamins, nori soaked in garlic and having chaeto available at all times. My fish have full bellies and are quite active :razz: .Well except for the ocellaris pair. The female seems to be preoccupied with staring at a paticular rock for long periods of time. :lol: . Water parameters that I can test are OK. Nitrates are still high but are still going down even though I am feeding more. My skimmer is working great and the lr is doing it's thing. I think with more those nitrates will be under control.

Does anyone think I should cut back on the feeding? The fish are much better looking and have not seen any ich for a week now. Yes, I know it is still there...but CAN fish overeat?

Thanks,
Debbie

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[Krish]

I know freshwater oscars can over eat Some fish will stuff their mouths any chance they can and then there are some that eventhough they are full, will take in the food and then spit it out in the tank and cause water quality issues. I personally don't think it would be a good idea to feed so much. The fish may seem happier because they are getting more variety of foods and not necessarily more food. I'd stick to the recommended feeding routine of so much your fish can eat within a 5 minute period etc. Just a thought...Not necessarily correct

 

[kendog261]

Yes some fish can over eat. I wouldnt feed them as much as you are it is only going to cause problems with the tank in the long run.

 

[DonW]

Debbie,
You never said how much your feeding only what your feeding. Sounds like a nice variety, the fish should be happy. Feed your fish as much as your system can handle.

Don

 

[Ashlar]

We feed as much as the fish can eat in 3-4 minutes.. that works out to about a turkey baster full of slurry- usually one small cube of food and tank water twice daily.

 

[4251cpd]

More food= more crap. Certain foods will contain phosphates, esp. manufactured. Fish in their natural setting, spend alot of their energy looking for and capturing food, so naturally they are somewhat under fed in the real world. It's impractical to provide an all day buffett so stick to a 2-3x a daysmall feeds. Keep it 2-3xs a week till your #'s are better. Just continue the algae in there daily. JMHO

 

[Damsel13]

OK, Sounds good. Smaller meals 2 to 3x's a day unless I see ANY upward swing in nitrates then will cut back. I have been doing 5 min. feeding in the morning and tiny bit of flakes at night.
So glad for all the help.

Deb
P.S. I'll just ignore the begging. That darn yellow tang is a bottomless pit. He is about 3" long and with fins extended 3" tall and whole body and head filling out. I have never owned such a beautiful fish.

 

[4251cpd]

OK, Sounds good. Smaller meals 2 to 3x's a day unless I see ANY upward swing in nitrates then will cut back. I have been doing 5 min. feeding in the morning and tiny bit of flakes at night.
So glad for all the help.

Deb
P.S. I'll just ignore the begging. That darn yellow tang is a bottomless pit. He is about 3" long and with fins extended 3" tall and whole body and head filling out. I have never owned such a beautiful fish.

How you feed is just as important as to how much. Dumping said food in is not so good. Introduce the food in small amounts, let them clear it before the next helping. Using different areas of the tank each time is a good idea to explore. We all have the "hog" that will try to get everything, if the timid eaters find a spot where they can eat in peace, all the better. Just something that works for me. P.S. Get yourself a bar of frozen cyclo-peeze and a flat of rotifers. Watch your fish go on a frenzy.....