Semantic Drift

So, one of my three sunburst platys, Margaret Thatcher, seems to enjoy nibbling at her own little poop-strings. When the filter is off, i.e. at feeding times, the feces usually sinks and settles in a corner, but if the filter is on, the fresh feces just floats around and around the tank, and inevitably Margaret will take a chunk out of it (though she will usually spit it out, unless it's approaching feeding time and she is hungry). I mean, I know platys have a reputation for eating anything that'll fit in their mouth, but this is kind of silly.

So, my question - is this dangerous to my fish? Should I net the feces as soon as I see it, or get better filtration to catch it quickly? Or just let her nibble on it. It seems like she'd learn eventually.

The other two, J. Edgar and Eleanor Roosevelt, don't seem to mind their poops. Maybe Margaret isn't getting enough to eat?

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks

Gunnie

How often do you feed your fish, and what do you feed them? Does Margaret get bullied away from the food at feeding time?

Semantic Drift

I'm actually feeding them goldfish flakes - it's all I have, but it seemed like it should suffice for the time being (I'm going to pick up some tropical flakes soon). I feed them a healthy amount twice a day. Maybe too much, since they sometimes can't eat it all. And it seems like they all get their share.

Gunnie

Variety is the key. Goldfish food is a special blend for goldfish, and may be missing some stuff your platys need to stay healthy. As soon as possible, get the best quality fish food you can find and afford. I recommend Omega One color flakes or something made by New Life Spectrum. In my opinion, those 2 brands are the best. What to look for is foods that don't list fishmeal as the first ingredient. Fishmeal is a filler/binder that adds very little nutrition to the food. Omega One contains no fish meal, and my fish prefer it. I would also look into getting them other variety foods to alternate with like veggie wafers, shrimp pellets, tubifex worms, etc. You need to experiment with what your fish like. Kensfish.com is an interesting site with good customer service. He has different stuff which you might want to try also like earthworm flakes, spirulina flakes, etc.

bbfeckawitts

my silver dollars love to eat my platys poop :

Semantic Drift

Thanks - I was putting off getting new food because my friend was selling me his old 20, as well as all his fish goodies. So I've got some Topfin tropical flakes now.

Do you guys think my platys would dig some mosquito larvae? I certainly have those to spare (stagnant stream in back yard). Be more fun (for all parties) than flakes, too.

Gunnie

Definately! I think they would love it!

bbfeckawitts

Yes they'd love misquito larvae. My fish absolutely adore them! Brianna

COBettaCouple

Our platys go after poop all the time.. theirs, the other platys.. on or off the fish. They always spit it out and i haven't seen it have any effect on them.