David C

I have one molly that gets very defensive over the sinking pellets I feed to my Cory's. He ignores the Cory's but will actively chase the others all over the tank if they move anywhere near the pellets. He displays his dorsal fin proudly only during this feeding time and as soon as the food is eaten, he goes back to being completely peaceful. My water conditions are ammonia 0ppm, nitrite 0ppm, and nitrate 7ppm as of this morning, not sure if they matter or not. The behavior has been going on since I added the Cory's three days ago and started feeding the pellets.

My question is... Is there a way I should be feeding the two species or something I can do to cut down on the aggressiveness, or is this completely normal?

Thanks

jdhef

You could try frrding the cories after turning out the light.

TFA101

you could try feeding different foods with your mollies, and feeding them at the other side of the tank. For example, frozen brine shrimp can be fed on one side of the tank, while the cories are fed their pellets on the opposite end. Mollies are little piggies, and make sure that everyone knows it. My friend's got two of them and she knows what you're talking about.

David C

Im using a feeding station with flakes and blood worms right now on the far right side of the tank and i drop the pellets on the far left side (it was my first idea)... but as soon as the flakes are gone the mollys zip off along the gravel in search of the pellets. I'll try feeding after dark, but how many pellets should I feed 4 corys if its only once a day? I'm trying not to overfeed and I'm new to keeping catfish.

Richard

I wouldn't worry too much.. even when your Mollies go after the pellets, they don't eat the whole thing in one gulp.. they actually break the pellets up, eating some, and leaving the rest for the Cories, who will always find food in a properly fed tank.

sirdarksol

jdhef has a great idea. Cories find their food by smell, and tend to be more nocturnal, so feed them at lights out.

The mollies should be getting mostly molly flakes (more vegetable than animal), with blood worms as periodic treats.

Alessa

I have the exact same problem with my fraternity guppy-platy tank, the wont just leave the sinking pellets I feed my otos alone! so one thing i have tried is sinking the wafers on a plant covered corner to which the otos have easy access, and the six other livebearing piggies dont...

or you can always fool them by luring them to a small piece of pellet in one side while you feed the cories... or feeding them at night!

David C

I fed them last night after lights out and that seemed to work great. I think I'll stick with that. The bloodworms are for the molly's and they get a pinch twice a week, never a full feeding and its several days apart. Someone told me they help with color and they seem to love them. Not sure if its working or not but I figure it wont hurt anything. (i hope)