intensity68
Aquarium Advice Regular
I have a rainbowfish (Melanotaenia trifasciata) that is sucking food in and then spitting it out. Is this a normal habit for rainbows?
Rainbowfish feeding habits
- Thread starter intensity68
- Start date
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lmw80
Aquarium Advice Addict
Hi intensity! Welcome to Aquarium Advice!
The Rainbow behavior depends on a few different factors. Is this an adult rainbow, what size tank, what other inhabitants, what are you feeding him, and how long have you had him in the tank. He could be a picky eater, or he could be stressed....hard to tell without all the information.
The Rainbow behavior depends on a few different factors. Is this an adult rainbow, what size tank, what other inhabitants, what are you feeding him, and how long have you had him in the tank. He could be a picky eater, or he could be stressed....hard to tell without all the information.
intensity68
Aquarium Advice Regular
First, My Tank:
29 gal well planted tank
emperor 400 filter (dual bio wheels) with lava rock added in additional media holders for more bacteria colonization, not set at full gph setting
H2O parameters
ph 7.2 (i do get some shifting in ph due to CO2 and local water high ph-7.6) I was leaving at or near 7.6 until I started CO2. .
ammonia less than .025
Nitrate less than .1
Fish:
Male and female Odessa Barb (male in QT), 3 neons, Male and female neon blush barbs (name??, the LFS calls them this dont know real name), badis, kuhli loach, batik loach, Royal pleco, otocinclus, 3 Pristella Tetras, 1 rainbowfish, blue variatus, Paradise Gourami, kribensis, 2 african dwarf frogs.
Maintenance:
20 percent water change weekly and gravel vacuuming where possible
Also, I have noticed that his poop is white. Is this normal?
I feed flake food, frozen bloodworms, and sometimes blackworms or brine shrimp.
Almost forgot, its a young rainbow (common name, banded rainbow) and hes been in the tank 3-4 weeks. I have added a pic of him (which incidentally shows the white excretion,lol)
Thanks
29 gal well planted tank
emperor 400 filter (dual bio wheels) with lava rock added in additional media holders for more bacteria colonization, not set at full gph setting
H2O parameters
ph 7.2 (i do get some shifting in ph due to CO2 and local water high ph-7.6) I was leaving at or near 7.6 until I started CO2. .
ammonia less than .025
Nitrate less than .1
Fish:
Male and female Odessa Barb (male in QT), 3 neons, Male and female neon blush barbs (name??, the LFS calls them this dont know real name), badis, kuhli loach, batik loach, Royal pleco, otocinclus, 3 Pristella Tetras, 1 rainbowfish, blue variatus, Paradise Gourami, kribensis, 2 african dwarf frogs.
Maintenance:
20 percent water change weekly and gravel vacuuming where possible
Also, I have noticed that his poop is white. Is this normal?
I feed flake food, frozen bloodworms, and sometimes blackworms or brine shrimp.
Almost forgot, its a young rainbow (common name, banded rainbow) and hes been in the tank 3-4 weeks. I have added a pic of him (which incidentally shows the white excretion,lol)
Thanks
lmw80
Aquarium Advice Addict
Has he been doing this the whole 3-4 weeks he has been in the tank? He could still be adjusting. Also, does he spit the all varieties of food out, or only one kind? You do have quite a bioload in your tank...which could be stressing him out as well.
How does he look? Does he swim fine? Any signs of fungus or rot? Anything illness related that could contribute to him not eating?
How does he look? Does he swim fine? Any signs of fungus or rot? Anything illness related that could contribute to him not eating?
intensity68
Aquarium Advice Regular
Has he been doing this the whole 3-4 weeks he has been in the tank?
No
Also, does he spit the all varieties of food out, or only one kind?
Yes or doesnt want to eat at all.
How does he look? Does he swim fine? Any signs of fungus or rot? Anything illness related that could contribute to him not eating?
He looks perfect physically.
He swims fine though seems to have decreased slightly in activity.
No sign of fungus or rot
AS we are discussing this. My thoughts are leaning towrds stress. What about the white poop question? Also heres another idea, rainbowfish do eat soft plants (which i have) what if hes eating them i havent seen him do it?
Yes, i agree the bioload is pretty heavy. Thats why i added lava rock in my media containers. Also, i probably change the water closer to every 5 days than a week. I never have an ammonia or nitrite spike. I'm not trying to defend myslef here just trying to give you as much info as possible.
Im pretty puzzled about this one. He's beautiful I might cry if i lose him eventually.
i cant get my pic below 148kb sorry
No
Also, does he spit the all varieties of food out, or only one kind?
Yes or doesnt want to eat at all.
How does he look? Does he swim fine? Any signs of fungus or rot? Anything illness related that could contribute to him not eating?
He looks perfect physically.
He swims fine though seems to have decreased slightly in activity.
No sign of fungus or rot
AS we are discussing this. My thoughts are leaning towrds stress. What about the white poop question? Also heres another idea, rainbowfish do eat soft plants (which i have) what if hes eating them i havent seen him do it?
Yes, i agree the bioload is pretty heavy. Thats why i added lava rock in my media containers. Also, i probably change the water closer to every 5 days than a week. I never have an ammonia or nitrite spike. I'm not trying to defend myslef here just trying to give you as much info as possible.
Im pretty puzzled about this one. He's beautiful I might cry if i lose him eventually.
i cant get my pic below 148kb sorry
intensity68
Aquarium Advice Regular
added pic to gallery
i added pic to my gallery, its pending approval, perhaps you have access to it.
i added pic to my gallery, its pending approval, perhaps you have access to it.
lmw80
Aquarium Advice Addict
I saw the pic, it's very nice. I think what we do have here is stress. Rainbowfish like their room to swim and eat, and he may just feel like there are too many other fish around. Rainbowfish do sometimes nibble plants as you say, which could be another possibility.
As far as the poop, I honestly am not sure...I looked it up on the web, and came up with this website: http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/fecal_disorders.html
If you scroll down to white poop (c I think), it suggests "fish is probably affected with intestinal flagellates", and tells you how to treat it. However, I would definitly do more research before putting meds into your tank or QT tank to treat him.
As far as the poop, I honestly am not sure...I looked it up on the web, and came up with this website: http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/fecal_disorders.html
If you scroll down to white poop (c I think), it suggests "fish is probably affected with intestinal flagellates", and tells you how to treat it. However, I would definitly do more research before putting meds into your tank or QT tank to treat him.
