Feeding issues... complete noob

[Vanceric]

So I picked up a 36 Gallon bow front tank and after cycling and stocking the tank I'm having issues getting some of the fishies to eat.
3 x Angelfish (about quarter size)
1 x South American Cichlid
3 x X-Ray tetras

I understand not really the best combo of fish but it's what I've got for now. I have a second tank to move anyone who gets all nippy to. My main concern is that all the fish just seem to hang out at the bottom. They're not acting sick or anything and my water parameters are all good. Even the angels never seem to pass the half way mark. So when I feed the little guys they are oblivious to the fact they're being fed until the food gets swept under and sinks to the bottom. Most of the food just sits there and I have to clean it out. Today I picked up some freeze dried brine shrimp that sticks to the side of the tank. That seemed to work for 2 of my angels but no-one else would partake, even angel # 3 that's always been pushing everyone out of the way for the sinking food before.

Thanks in advance... been lurking for a while but just made an account.

 

[FishCr8zy]

What exactly are the parameters? How long do you keep he lights on and what kind of lights are they? Sometimes fish will not eat because of stress when they are first in there tank.

 

[Vanceric]

Light is Coralife 50/50. Usually left on ~12 hours a day... sometimes more. Not in a position to get exact numbers right now but from what I remember:

PH: 7.5ish
Hardness: ~75
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 2nd box from zero on the test kit... can't remember exact but did jump up from nothing after adding the last 4 fish.
Nitrate: Can't remember right now.
Temperature: 80 deg F
They've been in the tank for a week and a half now if that helps. Thanks for the reply.

 

[JustinCase]

When I first bought some red belly piranhas they didn't eat for a whole week... They are still kinda feeling out the tank.. Be patient

 

[FishCr8zy]

When I first bought some red belly piranhas they didn't eat for a whole week... They are still kinda feeling out the tank.. Be patient

+1 about patience. They gotta get used to their surroundings and then slowly adapt and then start eating normally.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Light is Coralife 50/50. Usually left on ~12 hours a day... sometimes more. Not in a position to get exact numbers right now but from what I remember:

PH: 7.5ish
Hardness: ~75
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 2nd box from zero on the test kit... can't remember exact but did jump up from nothing after adding the last 4 fish.
Nitrate: Can't remember right now.
Temperature: 80 deg F
They've been in the tank for a week and a half now if that helps. Thanks for the reply.

So in guessing you don't have a timer for the lights? When lights are turned on at different intervals everyday, they will also get stressed so a timer on the lights may help. And try to leave the lights on for 12 or less hours.

 

[JustinCase]

Yeah, my fishes tend to swim around more with the lights off

 

[FishCr8zy]

Yeah, my fishes tend to swim around more with the lights off

Same. Mine swim more "laggy" when my lights are on and when they are off, they shoot off around the tank.

 

[JustinCase]

Yeah it sucks... I tell all my friends and family about my fish... but when they come to see them.. they embarrass me by just hiding behind stuff.. Silly fish! Lol..

 

[Vanceric]

Thanks for the advice. I cut out the lights to just 8hours today and they seem to be doing better with just the ambient light. Can anyone offer advice as to how well the day night sets work? I really like the deep blue color from the pictures I've seen but is it actually good for the fish? Also is there any lighting solution that's not so bright... up here in Alaska its so light already in the summer even with curtains. Thanks again

 

[FishCr8zy]

Thanks for the advice. I cut out the lights to just 8hours today and they seem to be doing better with just the ambient light. Can anyone offer advice as to how well the day night sets work? I really like the deep blue color from the pictures I've seen but is it actually good for the fish? Also is there any lighting solution that's not so bright... up here in Alaska its so light already in the summer even with curtains. Thanks again

I love the night/day lights because it allows you to somewhat see your fish at night and if you have any nocturnal fish, you can also see them finally move around. Solving too much light from outside is gonna be tough especially since curtains don't seem to work real well. Fish usually won't mind the night lights and will just treat it like any other ordinary night. Are the lights from the kit too bright?

 

[Vanceric]

Yeah the kit came with a 17w 24 inch bulb that was WAYYYY bright. I swapped it out for the 50/50 and that helped some but now that yall mention it even the new one seems too bright and I think the fish agree. When I turn the light on they tend to hang out under plants and in the cave.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Yeah the kit came with a 17w 24 inch bulb that was WAYYYY bright. I swapped it out for the 50/50 and that helped some but now that yall mention it even the new one seems too bright and I think the fish agree. When I turn the light on they tend to hang out under plants and in the cave.

Wow. A 17 w isn't that much. That's a pretty good light that came with the tank btw. The lights I'm planning to get for a 55 gal is a lot brighter than that. All the fish are hiding? Can you post a pic of the tank with lights on?

 

[Vanceric]

Looks much brighter in person... and this is about 30% kess bright than the stock one.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Looks much brighter in person... and this is about 30% kess bright than the stock one.

Dang! That's is pretty bright looking even in the pic! Man, you are so lucky you got that bright of a starter light. And if the stock lights were around %30 brighter........ Phew that would one pretty bright light. .
I'm guessing the fish are all camera shy? Lol

 

[Vanceric]

Very camera shy... shy in general when the lights are on. Hopefully they'll come out of it. I did manage to get a few good ones just now though. Come Friday I'll probably try to pickup some night lights.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Very camera shy... shy in general when the lights are on. Hopefully they'll come out of it. I did manage to get a few good ones just now though. Come Friday I'll probably try to pickup some night lights.

Very nice fish.
Are you gonna get a whole new light that comes with the night lights or just getting night lights and attaching them to the light you have now? Are those altum or normal angels?

 

[Vanceric]

Idk what I'll do yet but I definitely want some kind of night light because they're so much more active with the lights out. And they're just normal angels.

 

[FishCr8zy]

Idk what I'll do yet but I definitely want some kind of night light because they're so much more active with the lights out. And they're just normal angels.

The LEDs usually have night lights installed in them but the may be a bit pricey. The marineland single bright led is pretty good but that may be even brighter than the light you have. Or maybe you could switch to one of the clip on lights that also come with the night lights. Those may not be as bright and comes with night lights.

 

[Wufghi88]

Hey welcome to the forum!! I'm from anchorage as well and have the same tank! Lol