theyellowdartmti

Ok, last week I fed my neons flake food and they got that swim bladder thing where they swim downwards (I won't call it a disease). This is pretty normal if they get fed flakes too much.
So I decided not to feed them for 3 days (I fed them small amounts of brine shrimp on some days).
Last night I went to feed them flake food, and what happens? The SAME thing!
What do I do? I don't want to starve them.
Is there any other food I could use to stop this?
Thanks
-matt

Coryd55

I've never heard of this but you might want to try various frozen foods like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and bloodworms.

theyellowdartmti

Thanks for the reply.
I gave various feedings of brine shrimp in between the 3 day flake food fast. It didn't really help and I don't want them on a brine shrimp only diet. In addition, not all my fish like it (they don't really eat it at all). I guess this could be overcome if I slowly aclimate them to it though.

I need some more help, please!

COBettaCouple

have you tried feeding them peas and/or green beans? Small pieces of thawed, frozen & peeled peas or diced green beans might be a good part of a regular diet for them.

theyellowdartmti

hmm, I'll give it a try.
So your saying to keep the peas etc. cold?

COBettaCouple

If they're room temp. it's better. Nice and soft for them to chew, but not cooked.

hssea

my tiger barbs were doing the same thing. somewhere i read with flake food the gulp to much air from the surface, causing air in their bellies. So now a have a sm cup that i add aquarium water and put their food in there for about 5 minutes ( till it sinks to the bottom of the cup). then i add small amount of the water/food into the tank a little at a time. No more air in their bellies, adding small amts takes a few minutes but its fun they know me more and no wasted food at the bottom.

theyellowdartmti

Thanks for everyone's help.