Clownfish

[Risky Fishniss]

I just bought 2 small clownfish and purchased the suggested flakes to feed them. However, the flakes float on top of the water but the new kiddos are staying at the bottom of the tank which is a 40 gallon tank. These are my first fish in my saltwater tank. Any suggestions on how to get the food to the fish or the fish up to the food?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just bought 2 small clownfish and purchased the suggested flakes to feed them. However, the flakes float on top of the water but the new kiddos are staying at the bottom of the tank which is a 40 gallon tank. These are my first fish in my saltwater tank. Any suggestions on how to get the food to the fish or the fish up to the food?

While they eat flakes, not an ideal diet
Feed frozen food such as;
Spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari marine cuisine
LRS fish frenzy
Small plankton
Formula 1 frozen and pellet

 

[Risky Fishniss]

While they eat flakes, not an ideal diet
Feed frozen food such as;
Spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari marine cuisine
LRS fish frenzy
Small plankton
Formula 1 frozen and pellet

Ok. Thank you.

Would it be ok to buy any of these items you suggested at Petco? They sell Saltwater fish and food. And how much would I feed these two little clowns? They are probably at the most 1" inch in size.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok. Thank you.

Would it be ok to buy any of these items you suggested at Petco? They sell Saltwater fish and food. And how much would I feed these two little clowns? They are probably at the most 1" inch in size.

Yes and as for portions, pinky size - best advice….. place cube or small portion in a small solo cup and spoon feed what they can consume in 2-3 minutes
Easier to add food than to remove it
2-3 feedings a day is sufficient

 

[Sharkbait19]

The only thing I would not get at petco is living things - they are well known for carrying disease (though there has been quite the improvement in recent months).
Sinking pellets is usually better but they can be trained to eat flakes. As suggested, frozen foods are always a favorite of fish.

 

[Risky Fishniss]

Yes and as for portions, pinky size - best advice….. place cube or small portion in a small solo cup and spoon feed what they can consume in 2-3 minutes
Easier to add food than to remove it
2-3 feedings a day is sufficient

Okay.....thank you.

 

[rmorris_14]

Ok. Thank you.

Would it be ok to buy any of these items you suggested at Petco? They sell Saltwater fish and food. And how much would I feed these two little clowns? They are probably at the most 1" inch in size.

if you buy the frozen foods from petco, just make sure you thaw them with some kind of strainer ( I use a net) in water and then toss the water. There are a lot of phosphates in their frozen foods and you dont want to add to your tank. Petco sells hikari marine and seaweed extreme sinking pellets which will be good. Just make sure you get the smallest size and dont feed more than they will eat. Petco also sells "New life spectrum" pellets , which a lot of people like. (I have not tried them). Keep in mind not all fish will eat various foods. I have a set of clowns and only one will eat the pellets I mentioned. The other refuses anything bu frozen. So I would buy small sizes, until you know what will work. Its best to offer a variety of foods :)

 

[Risky Fishniss]

The only thing I would not get at petco is living things - they are well known for carrying disease (though there has been quite the improvement in recent months).
Sinking pellets is usually better but they can be trained to eat flakes. As suggested, frozen foods are always a favorite of fish.

Ok....the flakes just float at the top of the water and the fish stay at the bottom. These flakes are not like the freshwater flakes which sink.

 

[rmorris_14]

Also, your username made me smile.

 

[Risky Fishniss]

if you buy the frozen foods from petco, just make sure you thaw them with some kind of strainer ( I use a net) in water and then toss the water. There are a lot of phosphates in their frozen foods and you dont want to add to your tank. Petco sells hikari marine and seaweed extreme sinking pellets which will be good. Just make sure you get the smallest size and dont feed more than they will eat. Petco also sells "New life spectrum" pellets , which a lot of people like. (I have not tried them). Keep in mind not all fish will eat various foods. I have a set of clowns and only one will eat the pellets I mentioned. The other refuses anything bu frozen. So I would buy small sizes, until you know what will work. Its best to offer a variety of foods :)

Ok, thank you. I guess it will be trial and error.

 

[Risky Fishniss]

Also, your username made me smile.

Good! I wondered if anyone would get it. :0

 

[Cigarman]

I started my clowns with the small tdo pellets when they were small.

 

[Peace River]

Many clownfish breeders use TDO Chroma Boost pellets from @Reef Nutrition. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Sharkbait19]

One thing that also helps when getting new fish to eat is knowing what the store fed them - that will get the greatest feeding response.

 

[720 Reefer]

When I feed flakes, I take a pinch and put my fingers in the water about an inch down, then release. Should make them sink.

 

[Risky Fishniss]

One thing that also helps when getting new fish to eat is knowing what the store fed them - that will get the greatest feeding response.

They are the ones who told me to get the flakes I bought. But like I said, the flakes float at the top of the water and the fish are hanging out low in a corner. ???

 

[Sharkbait19]

They are probably still stressed from the move

When I feed flakes, I take a pinch and put my fingers in the water about an inch down, then release. Should make them sink.

This definitely could work - once the clowns see it they may be more inclined to eat.

 

[Risky Fishniss]

When I feed flakes, I take a pinch and put my fingers in the water about an inch down, then release. Should make them sink.

Oh man, I wish I would've seen this before going and buying pellets. And, initially the pellets were floating however, I tapped one with the corner of my fish net and it sunk soooo, I grabbed a couple more pellets and "threw them" at the water and they sunk and the clowns went to town eating them. Yay!!

Will the flakes be good for other fish that I will likely get down road?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Variety is always good, so you can feed flakes along with other foods for a rounded diet. More fun than the same foods every day.

 

[fishmonkey]

While they eat flakes, not an ideal diet
Feed frozen food such as;
Spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari marine cuisine
LRS fish frenzy
Small plankton
Formula 1 frozen and pellet

+1 on LRS