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Neon Tetra feeding issue

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Subject Author Date
Neon Tetra feeding issue mike 01-23-2009
Posted by on January 23, 2009, 2:13 pm
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I'm setting up a new tank (29gal). So far I have only 3 neon tetras
in the tank with no other fish. My problem is that the neons hang out
near the bottom which wouldn't be a problem but they seem to not
notice when I place food in the tank. I'm feeding them flake food and
they often don't notice the food until it starts to get soggy and
float to the bottom. often it makes it all the way to the bottom
before they notice and as such, never gets eaten. I'm only feeding 3
or 4 flakes so I'm sure I'm not really over-feeding but I'm not sure
how to 'train' them to get them to notice the food floating at the top
of the tank. Any suggestions regarding this?

Posted by Jürgen Exner on January 23, 2009, 3:08 pm
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On Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:13:23 -0800 (PST), mike@dogstar1.com wrote:

>I'm setting up a new tank (29gal). So far I have only 3 neon tetras
>in the tank with no other fish.

Did you cycle the tank? How? Or did you put the neons into a virgin
tank? They are _NOT_ a suitable fish for cycling a tank but require
stablized and prefer even somewhat spezialized water conditions.

>My problem is that the neons hang out
>near the bottom which wouldn't be a problem but they seem to not
>notice when I place food in the tank.

What are your water parameters? Chances are they just feel very sick in
an uncycled tank. They can get used to other water conditions with time
but prefer soft water, below pH 7, and shaded. Filtering over peat moss
helps a lot.

Besides, 3 is really not enough. Neon tetras are social fish and should
not be kept in schools of less than 5-7 fish.

jue

Posted by on January 23, 2009, 3:49 pm
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> On Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:13:23 -0800 (PST), m...@dogstar1.com wrote:
> >I'm setting up a new tank (29gal). =A0So far I have only 3 neon tetras
> >in the tank with no other fish.
>
> Did you cycle the tank? How? Or did you put the neons into a virgin
> tank? They are _NOT_ a suitable fish for cycling a tank but require
> stablized and prefer even somewhat spezialized water conditions.
>
> >My problem is that the neons hang out
> >near the bottom which wouldn't be a problem but they seem to not
> >notice when I place food in the tank.
>
> What are your water parameters? Chances are they just feel very sick in
> an uncycled tank. They can get used to other water conditions with time
> but prefer soft water, below pH 7, and shaded. Filtering over peat moss
> helps a lot.
>
> Besides, 3 is really not enough. Neon tetras are social fish and should
> not be kept in schools of less than 5-7 fish.
>
> jue

Yes I was trying to cycle the tank using the neons so that's probably
my rookie mistake. The seem basically ok and once the notice the food
they do go after it but you may well be right in that they're not
feeling as well as could be. pH is high 8.0. I considered buying
something to lower it but the only thing i found said not to use in a
tank with plants and while I don't have any yet, I want to get some
soon. I don't have a general hardness or carbonate hardness test kit
yet so I haven't tested for those values.

Posted by Jürgen Exner on January 23, 2009, 4:17 pm
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On Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:49:39 -0800 (PST), mike@dogstar1.com wrote:
>Yes I was trying to cycle the tank using the neons so that's probably
>my rookie mistake. The seem basically ok and once the notice the food
>they do go after it but you may well be right in that they're not
>feeling as well as could be. pH is high 8.0.

Try filtering over peat moss. That will lower the pH, soften the water,
and darken it. All of this will probably make your neons feel more
comfortable.

jue

Posted by on January 23, 2009, 4:27 pm
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> On Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:49:39 -0800 (PST), m...@dogstar1.com wrote:
> >Yes I was trying to cycle the tank using the neons so that's probably
> >my rookie mistake. =A0The seem basically ok and once the notice the food
> >they do go after it but you may well be right in that they're not
> >feeling as well as could be. =A0pH is high 8.0.
>
> Try filtering over peat moss. That will lower the pH, soften the water,
> and darken it. All of this will probably make your neons feel more
> comfortable.
>
> jue

will give that a shot. thank you.

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