Water Flow, Cardinal Tetras, Feeding.

Good day,

it is my first time here, and first time taking care of fish.

Read a lot before beginning and just finished my nitrogen cycle last sat (4/23), added the fish (9 Cardinal Tetras) Sunday (4/24). They seem to be doing okay (Water params 0 ammoniia, 0 nitrite, nitrate 20ppm, 8.2pH, 29-30 degree celsius). (Edit: These are juvenile tetras)

Most of what I learned the previous months was through here at Fishlore, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart, I will continue to use this site to better my knowledge.

Now my question,.

I have a 150GPH HOB Filter on my 14gallon (21.5 inch length, 15 inch height, 10 inch depth). the flow seems strong and whenever I drop sinking pellets to feed the tetras they just nip at it a few times (some fish can't even see the pellets) and the pellets just flow around the tank and finally settle down. the tetras doesn't seem to touch those that have fallen in the substrate. How can I fully know that they are properly feed each time I drop those pellets?

 

Well you can use normal flake food so it stays at the surface so they can see it. What kind of sinking formulas r u using?

 

It has no brand, bought at LFS, same pellets they are feeding them when I got the fishes. I tried floating micro pellets, but they don't touch em unless the outflow from the HOB temporarily brings it down that they seem to nip at it and when it floats back up they ignore it again.

 

Cardinal tetras are mid level feeders so it's best to have the food float in the water column and not on the surface (prevents bloat as well). When I feed flakes to my fish, I take a pinch and release them in the water. They have no issues eating them this way. You also have to keep in mind that their mouths are smaller so you want to feed food that they can manage.

Also, I would try varying the diet a little - flakes, small slow sinking pellets (Omega One micro pellets are good), frozen brine shrimp, etc.

 

I would definitely try that, thanks!

 

Cardinal tetras are mid level feeders so it's best to have the food float in the water column and not on the surface (prevents bloat as well). When I feed flakes to my fish, I take a pinch and release them in the water. They have no issues eating them this way. You also have to keep in mind that their mouths are smaller so you want to feed food that they can manage.

Also, I would try varying the diet a little - flakes, small slow sinking pellets (Omega One micro pellets are good), frozen brine shrimp, etc.

Bought HikarI micro pellets semifloating, they started eating well! Also bought frozen bloodworms, how would I feed them the frozen bloodworms?

 

Great to hear!

For 9 cardinal tetras, I would shave off about 1/3 of the frozen cube and thaw it in 1/2 a cup of tank water. Then pour in the tank and watch the feeding frenzy.

 

Thank you so much! Nervous as this is my first aquarium.

 

Dont be nervous

 

I know, it may be just the perfectionist inside me. Loving this forum.

 

Ikr the forum is awesome. Its probably more excitement than nervousness