platies, tetras & fish food

I have 8 neon tetras (20 gallon tank and is cycled) and they were all doing well for a few weeks. I added 6 platies and they are now hogging all the food. I bought food that sinks in an attempt to give the tetras a chance but the platies are such pigs, and the tetras so shy, that once the platies have eaten what's on the surface they go after the sinking pellets. I'm afraid that the platies will get too much, and the tetras not enough....? Any suggestions or should I let nature take its course? A couple of the tetras are very tiny.

Also, should I feed every day?

 

I would feed once a day, every day. I can not say for sure, but I would bet they are getting enough food when you don't see it, Get flakes and crush them real tiny, then take a pinch in your fingers and stick your fingers with the flakes just below the surface of the water above your tetras. Now let go and they should fall down in front of them. Remember to put some flakes or other fish food for the platies on the OTHER side of the tank.
Brianna

 

The platies are stomachs with fins and will gladly try to eat ANYTHING that comes into view. We have to do like Brianna recommended to be able to get some food to our cory cats in there. If you have someone to distract the platies and feed them crumbled flakes slowly away from the tetras, maybe you'll be able to feed the tetras easier.

 

Thx for the tips - that seems to be working. I am paying more attention to the tetras and I think you're right -- they are getting more than I thought they were! I also tried putting some food in the net and swishing in near the bottom while the platies are having their feeding frenzy. Definitely helps the little guys.

 

cool.. i'm glad the tetras are getting to eat. those platies are funny.. Daisy is a gold twinbar and when she goes from flake bit to flake bit to flake bit, it makes me thing of miss pacman running along eating dots.

 

uh oh...I'm down to 1 tetra from 8. Lost 5 in the last 3 days. I think I was so concerned they got enough food that they had too much?? Tested the water earlier in the week and it was fine. Tested again today and ammonia was fine but nitrite level was up slightly (0.3 I think, the one right next to 0) so we did a 20% water change. I will test again in a couple of days. Should I do another water change in the next 3-4 days? We usually do 10% once a week

A couple of the platies were hanging out at the bottom so I'm worried about them but they were active after the water change so hopefully they will be okay.

So....once I can stabilize the tank I will get more fish. What do you recommend? I think I will avoid tetras next time around....Has anyone had freshwater angelfish & platies together? Or dwarf gouramis?

 

I'd do partial water changes daily until the nitrites test good. angelfish (a cichlid) and gourami (an air-labyrinth) are both aggressive fish for platys. other livebearers or small cats are good tank mates for them.. maybe a school of danios or rasboras too.

 

Thanks...I will try the water changes. I considered danios but have heard they could be fin nippers???

 

Thanks...I will try the water changes. I considered danios but have heard they could be fin nippers???

Keeping them in a school of 6 or more helps curb the fin nipping behavior, along with hiding spots in the tank. They're generally peaceful and platys are pretty quick.