clown loach feeding problem

[cloudgodd]

Tank stock: 2 - 3" Dalmatian mollies, 6 - 1" zebra danios, 1 - 2.5" clown loach, and 3 - 1.5" clown loach.

Problem: feeding the 3 - 1.5" clown loaches 5 - 6 times a day is allowing the bigger fish to over eat and causing a .25ppm ammonia spike at the end of the day not to mention the damage it is probably doing to the fish.

Solutions that DO NOT work: can’t move any fish (not an option), and they all eat the sinking pellets to (so doesn’t work)

Question: will it hurt the 1.5" clown loaches to be fed less? like say 3 to 4 times a day 2 protein and 2 vegetable?

[Keith Wolcott]

For the sake of the small clowns which need many little meals, I would still feed 5 or 6 times per day, but cut down on the quantity for each feeding. Keep monitoring the ammonia so that you can figure out the right level of feeding and have zero ammonia.

[Ashleigh]

Is there any way that you can up the water changes you do on the tank?

I have my clown loach tank decently stocked, but as I overfeed to make sure everyone gets enough food, I end up doing water changes 5-6times a week to ensure my nitrates dont exceed 25ppm. Its easy enough-just drain the water with a hose and top-up.

Do your clowns feed from your fingers? That could be an option on how to feed them and avoid the other tank mates stealing the food, another way is to get a hollow pipe and drop the food down it so it reaches the bottom w/o coming into contact with the mid dwelling species, the clowns will soon learn were to go for the food. Or you could stick a divder in the tank, depending on its size, keep the clowns on one side and just feed as normal, I know that doesn't solve you water quality problem-water changes will solve that, but it will prevent the other tank inhabitants stealing the food so in theory you shouldnt have to feed as much to ensure they get enough food so it might help.



Ashleigh

[chefkeith]

Like Ashleigh said, you could build a feeding pipe for the loaches.

Just drop the food in the top of the pipe and it will sink to the bottom. The loaches will learn to find the food rather quickly.

I use this pipe to feed my clowns blood worms.
Pipes + Food = Happy Clowns
Just make sure the pipe is wide enough so they all don't get stuck in it.

[cloudgodd]

I made this the other fish still get in there but they dont stay for long, I will test the water again tonight and see if this helped




UPDATE: never mind didn’t work the bigger fish were just getting trapped in there /sigh

[Diana]

Can you feed a floating food that would attract the others, something like Omega One flakes, but just a little bit to divert them while you put the pellets in at the other end of the tank for the clowns?

Get a divider for the tank. Clowns on one side, other fish on the other. Then you can customize a diet for each set of fish: High protein alternated with vegetables for the clowns several times per day, and more vegetable oriented meals, less frequently, for Mollies.

[cloudgodd]

yeah I think I am going to have to get or make a divider