Tetras Won't Eat Flakes

tylergvolk · 06-27-2012, 01:16 PM

I recently bought a bunch of Cardinal Tetras and Remmynose Tetras and they will not come to the surface to eat. It's been 2 days now. Is there something I've been going wrong? I'm trying to feeding them flakes.

I have a planted 14g biocube. All my levels are good. I even restricted the flow to see if that was causing them to want to come to the surface but that wasn't it either..

**mitchfish9** · 06-27-2012, 01:42 PM

They need to get used to their new home for a while sometimes, if not i would switch to a high quality pellet soon.

tylergvolk · 06-27-2012, 01:59 PM

I restricted the flow and they were much more comfortable. They are eating now.Thank you.

**Jeff5614** · 06-27-2012, 02:32 PM

Most tetras don't naturally feed at the surface. Just take a pinch of flakes and swish them into the water.

clayman65 · 06-27-2012, 11:45 PM

My serpae tetras never come to the surface to eat. They wait for the food to sink down to them.

fusiongt · 06-28-2012, 01:43 AM

I use prongs to get the flakes out and then before I let them go (or while they're still in their container) I crush them up as I feel some flakes are way too big. I let them go and then I give it a tap downwards so the fish can see it. As they get comfortable, I think they'll come to the surface to get it, but until then, you can give it a tap so the flakes go down and you can watch them eat.

150EH · 06-28-2012, 04:22 AM

They will sink after a few minute but be sure not to over feed, plus moving back from the tank slowly might help until they feel comfortable.

tylergvolk · 06-28-2012, 01:27 PM

Swishing the flakes around a in the water made the flakes sink and stepping back made them more comfortable. Thanks all.

06-27-2012, 01:16 PM	#1
tylergvolk Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 538	Tetras Won't Eat Flakes I recently bought a bunch of Cardinal Tetras and Remmynose Tetras and they will not come to the surface to eat. It's been 2 days now. Is there something I've been going wrong? I'm trying to feeding them flakes. I have a planted 14g biocube. All my levels are good. I even restricted the flow to see if that was causing them to want to come to the surface but that wasn't it either..

06-27-2012, 02:32 PM	#4
Jeff5614 Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (52/100%) Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: TN Posts: 2,438	Most tetras don't naturally feed at the surface. Just take a pinch of flakes and swish them into the water. __________________ My Tank: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/yo...o=view&id=1508

06-28-2012, 01:43 AM	#6
fusiongt Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Menlo Park, Ca Posts: 805	I use prongs to get the flakes out and then before I let them go (or while they're still in their container) I crush them up as I feel some flakes are way too big. I let them go and then I give it a tap downwards so the fish can see it. As they get comfortable, I think they'll come to the surface to get it, but until then, you can give it a tap so the flakes go down and you can watch them eat. __________________ 10.5 Gallon Planted Tank

06-28-2012, 04:22 AM	#7
150EH Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (27/100%) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Churchton, Maryland Posts: 5,369	They will sink after a few minute but be sure not to over feed, plus moving back from the tank slowly might help until they feel comfortable. __________________ Eheim Pimp #92 2.5 Gallon Shrimp Nano 10 gallon Metaframe Planted 150 Gallon Tank Journal

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06-27-2012, 01:42 PM	#2
mitchfish9 Planted Tank Nation (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 874	They need to get used to their new home for a while sometimes, if not i would switch to a high quality pellet soon.

06-27-2012, 01:59 PM	#3
tylergvolk Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 538	I restricted the flow and they were much more comfortable. They are eating now.Thank you.

06-27-2012, 11:45 PM	#5
clayman65 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: Nebraska Posts: 11	My serpae tetras never come to the surface to eat. They wait for the food to sink down to them.

06-28-2012, 01:27 PM	#8
tylergvolk Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (8/100%) Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 538	Swishing the flakes around a in the water made the flakes sink and stepping back made them more comfortable. Thanks all.