Helping the little guys

[PhillipC]

Hello everyone,

I just started a 55g cichlid tank and I have 15 juvenile cichlids in the tank right now. About 4 yellow lab cichlids are undersized (about half the size of my kenyi's) and can barely compete for any food. I was wondering if I should put the undersized cichlids in a breeder net until they get a little bit bigger and feed them from there

Thanks!

 

[Quest84]

what kind of food are you feeding? I would feed them some veggie flakes it might be easier for them to get to

 

[Barbz99]

I'm guessing this isn't an option, but if you have a spare tank, grow the labs out in that and feed them 3 times a day, feed the others only once or twice a day. When they get up to size put them back in the 55. Also, I wouldn't put then in the breeder net cause they need some room to swim. Lastly I would think that if you feed them and the others get full, the labs would be able to eat, so try larger portion for the tank as a whole.
~Zac

 

[PhillipC]

Thanks guys, so I guess the breeder idea is a no go. I use NLS .5mm pellets. It kind of works if I throw some food at the top to distract the big fish and then grab some pellets and dunk it near the labs.

 

[Barbz99]

I would try to make due until (if) you are able to purchase and set up another tank.
~Zac