Feeding Suggestions

[9975]

Good morning R2R family!

I'm looking for a little advice on feeding frequency and types. Yes, I know this is a very "all over the place" subject but I'll think over any and all advice.

Situation: 350G tank with big sump and all associated equipment. 9 lyretail anthias, 2 mocha storm clowns, 1 blue throat trigger, 1 tiny leopard wrasse.

I have been feeding a little bit of flake in morning and at night because the clowns and wrasse prefer it and LRS reef frenzy for everyone else. We give them a little of RN pellets for an early afternoon snack.

Concern: After feeding last night, the trigger had a pretty good sized pot belly that wasn't there before and it's barely visible today. I reached out to the very well spoken about vendor on R2R and he thinks that since I'm using Reef Frenzy that I could be feeding too much.

Would I be better to feed flakes and pellets twice a day with Reef Frenzy at night? Any thoughts are truly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[EmdeReef]

Anthias are a bit like the hummingbirds of the reef - meaning they need to feed often. If your tank is well established with lots of microfauna they may be getting enough nutrients to get by. IME feeding at least 2x a day with anthias is best practice, sometimes more often. Note that your anthias may not eat flakes initially at least.

My philosophy is to feed a lot...keeps fish usually happy and healthy. I don't think your trigger's belly is due to the food, although they have been known to swallow whole large bits of food. I would observe and if it comes back the fish could be constipated or there could be a parasitic issue. Feeding 3+ times a day should not be an issue as long as you feed about as much as the fish will eat.

 

[9975]

The anthias hit the flakes pretty hard and most eat pellets as well. I'm wondering if it was constipation with the trigger as his belly is close to normal again

 

[melanotaenia]

My wrasse has an enlarged belly after almost every feeding; he is very voracious, but it goes away after about 1-2 hours.

I feed twice daily and sometimes a third time in the afternoon. I would not be incredibly worried about the feeding response unless the Trigger stays that way for an extended period of time or stops eating.

 

[Eva Rose]

I feed well too & especially like the LRS brands for good nutrition. My fish look healthy with vibrant colors. Sometimes as stated above, a fish might look like it has an enlarged belly for awhile. If you are ever worried about possible constipation, an easy way to help is to feed the fish a few cooled boiled green peas. A lot of fish seem to like them & a good food to try for those fish that don't eat much nori.