Extremely odd! HELP PLEASE!

[AtoZ Cichlids]

I just witnessed something that I have never ever seen my fish do. And not only have I never seen any one fish do this, but every one of them was doing this. I'm so puzzled. I just fed my mixed mbuna tank, flakes, usually it's bloodworms but every once in a while I'll feed them flakes. I noticed that they would snag a flake in their mouths, then swim down about an inch and a half, then release a good amount of bubbles from their gills. Should I be worried about this odd behavior? I know that it's not safe for some goldfish to eat flakes due to the threat of swim bladder disease. What's going on?

 

[mikem691]

I've been told its not good for them to get air when eating. I have always given my SA/CA's sinking pellets.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

I don't think any air is getting into their system. Just in their mouths and out their gills. I've fed them flakes before and they have never done this. If it could end up being lethal ill post a video of it on YouTube for you guys to help diagnose.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

I'm just concerned. They seem fine, I don't see anything bad happening in the future. But you can't be too safe. These are my babies!

 

[fishyd]

In my opinion, I think they're fine. I feed floating pellets and sinking pellets and when my fish go after the floating pellets, they will sometimes do what your fish are doing. I think its just them getting some air while they attack the flake and they're pushing it out once they're under the surface.

My JD has been doing this since I got him 3 years ago.

 

[Mebbid]

They are just vigorously eating. My cichlids do this occasionally and one actually manages to get a belly full of air and gives him buoyancy issues. It's kind of funny to watch actually

That being said it doesn't seem to harm them at all as they have all been very healthy for the 9 months I've had them. Haven't had a single death.

 

[pcatal]

You shouldn't be feeding mbuna bloodworms. They are herbivores that eat algae off of rocks and their intestines can't handle all of the protein in bloodworms. Give them a green vegetable based flake food and you can supplement with frozen brine shrimp that have been fed Spirulina algae.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

I have never heard that in my life.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

Now your scareing me lol

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

Ive been told numerous times they are omnivorous. Your right though. Thats embarassing.

 

[AtoZ Cichlids]

I do buy soft stem plants for them to eat. Thats still okay though right?

 

[erikmoseley]

Yes don't feed blood worms. A veggie flake or NLS Thera A is good for them

 

[Macdaddydaze]

Blood worms will rot in the intestines and lead them to death there digestive system can't digest it right because there diet in the wild is algae based I made the same mistake dont worry just switch up there diet as for the bubbles I wouldn't worry about it most likely just air caught while grabbing flakes my fish do it all the time and never had a death

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