My 3 goldfishes cannot eat the whole pellet! Please advise!!?

Question

Hi all,

I'm a beginner fishkeeper! I just got 3 goldfishes in my tank (good size, with filter, plants, pea and very small gravels, one decoration with holes, and going to have air stone soon)

It seems that everything is okie right now, as they seem to like the new place, stick together (almost all the time), swim a lot, and always open mouths to eat!

However, I have a problem with feeding them... I am currently use pellet to feed them (as a starter). The one I use branded as "Tropical Goldfish colour pellet".

http://www.reptilica.co.uk/images/products/9/95/19714_0_Tropical-GOLDFISH-COLOR-PELLET.jpg

The pellets are dried, and float. However, some will sink afterwards, or if I use some force to sink it, then the pellets will sink. The problem is my beautiful goldfishes cannot consume the whole pellet. They often suck them in and they spill out (but continue to do so). My fishes are about 4 cm (just the body not including tails), and about 6 - 7 cm (including tails).

I am aware that we need to soak the pellet in water before feeding them, in order to avoid swimming bladder problem. I actually did it that way, and wait until they are soft enough, so that I can squeeze them into little fragments, dropping them down (not floating). The fishes seem to get okie with this method, as they can eat these small pieces, however, leaving many behind too (seem not very effective to me!). Therefore, I had to feed them more than I normally would and risk the water pollution very quick.

My fishes hardly swim up to the surface to eat (though there was once time), and for this reason, i'm afraid other option like flakes seems not to be a solution, as well!

I really want the best for my goldfishes (whatever I can do)! Please help my goldfishes by advising me the BEST way to feed them (if possible, I would like to get their attention when I feed them, cause they seem to ignore me, or swim away, which makes me feel a bit sad :(...)

THANKS A BUNCH!!!!!

Answer 1

the pellet will fall to the bottom and disintegrate and then they will eat it

Answer 2

I have 5 goldfish.

Do not feed them pellets, especially if its giving them trouble eating.

Feed them flakes, they are better. That's what I feed my goldfish. But not Tropical Flakes, look for Goldfish Flakes.

Flakes are thin/soft and easier to consume than pellets.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

there is always tiny pellets available for goldfish

kOi keeper & goldfish keeper.

Answer 4

Feed them boiled skinned peas. Pellets will bloat their stomach.

Answer 5

i have 2 tropical fish tanks and it is normal for them to spit out food but you could try some flake if they leave anything behind then you are feeding them to much.

Answer 6

feed them goldfish flakes u can also give them 1 slice of orange once a week and some bread once a week the orange will float but the bread will sink once get wet and mine love this hope this helps u out and good luck  

Answer 7

Hi Cynthia!

DON'T WORRY!

This all sounds perfectly normal!

Many fish will "test" a new food by putting it in their mouth and spitting it out. My Discus does this EVERY time I feed him. It's just their way of checking the food out.

It is possible that the food is too big for them, in which case the fact that they are nibbling at it would mean they are consuming some of the food anyway.

You can try some different food, like flake or a smaller granulated food (granulated will cause less pollution, but pellets like you are using might be too big)

Also, don't expect your fish to come to the surface to feed. Depending on the exact variety, they may be used to feeding in the lower waters rather than at the top.

In any case, lack of food with goldfish is the LEAST of your worries. Trust me, if they are hungry they will eat whatever you put in there! You can get yourself in much more trouble by putting in too much!

Sounds like you are doing a great job caring for your fish! Good luck!