2 Fishie Questions!!!!! One's simple though!!!! :D...?

Question

I recently got a 2-gallon fish aquarium. I now have one platy and two guppies in it.

1. I got the food that the cashier recommended. I've always thought that you were supposed to feed them once a day (which is what I've been doing for years!), but the directions on the package said to feed them a few times a day!

This is a new brand of food that I'm using, would the feeding directions be different from another brand? How many times should I feed them then?


2. The two guppies seem to be picking on the platy. They're always following it around and pecking at it. The platy seems to always be trying to get away from them! If I got another platy, would that help them to stay away from it?

Thank you all for your answers. There is one problem however, DON'T TELL ME TO GET A BIGGER TANK!!!! I was given a 2-gallon as a gift. 10-gallon tanks are WAY too expensive for my LIMITED budget!!!! This tank is NOT for betas, seeing that it is filtered, and betas do not require a filtered tank. It was also LABELED for TROPICAL fish!!!!!

Answer 1

1. The guppies are very curious animals they tend to pick at anything that catches their attention for example you should not mix a male beta with some kind of sish a lot of people think its because the beta will attack them, but its not it is because the other fish will start to bite on his tail especially guppies. Platy's on the other hand are kept in groups of 3 or your platy may die of stress or loneliness...guppies are kept in groups of 5 because they love playing around..
2. What I did when my fishes were bitting each other it was because they were stressed out and were too playful...my solution I got them bubles a lot of them (not enough to kill them though) and ever since then the guppies play with the bubbles and so do the other fishes
The pet stores also sell different toys for your fishes...
Fishes are more fun than you think... Hope I was of any help if you need more info let me know...... lates

Answer 2

There's no exact amount of times you are suppose to feed your fish, just make sure all the food you put in the tank is eaten within a minute or so. Normally anywhere from 1-3 times a day is good.

As far as the guppies there most likely males fighting over territory and since the tank is so small there's no place for the platy to go. You really should remove the platy and just leave in the two guppies.

Answer 3

You should feed tropical fish several small amounts during the day, but I only feed my fish once or twice a day and they are a lot bigger then guppies! (Most of mine are about 15cm, not including their short tail fins.) Your guppies are probably trying to eat the slime off the plattie. It is worrying because it can stress the fish and eventually kill it. Also start saving up for another tank, it doesn't need to be bigger, but it would help. The general rule for fish keeping is one galleon for every inch of fish. Therefore getting another plattie will only contribute to the problem. Maybe sell the plattie or ask if your friends or a pet shop will take it back. Explain the problem and thy most likely will be more then happy to.

Answer 4

Once a day is good - that's what I do too. From the fish food manufacturer's standpoint, if you feed them a couple times a day you'll run out of food faster and will have to go buy more, yay money!

It's possible the platy isn't in the greatest of health and that's why it's getting picked on. If that's the case, getting another one probably wouldn't help :\ The tank is so small that they can't really run away if they're being picked on. If you haven't already done so, add some plants or other decorations so it has a place to hide.

Answer 5

the platty being picked on is weak(numder of reasons/health/age ect)thus the guppies can get away with bullying it.
Feeding,two of your fish are omniverouse(platy,molly)so you should offer green stuff(plants,blanched lettuce,cucumber,zuchini ect)&also do appreciate small live prey,blood worms daphnia&brine shrimp(flakes specially formulated for herbivours)2-3small feeds a day.If using new food,just use@the same rate as with the other food.
would you consider female guppy?(males can harass her)(i know you dont have space but it's just an idea(ideal ratio=3-5males to10-12females)If you do buy a female/prepare space(she'll be preggers)as female can store sperm&is able to give birth several times after being fertalised.10-50young(depending on size)
Yes get another platy(no lonely fish)Then you'll have a pair(do you have girl or boy?)Do you know how to sex them?The male of all these fish has a GONOPODIUM(boy bit) under anal fin&male is smaller&more coloured.Female rounder belly/gravid black spot,if knocked up.
Have fun with your fish,in such a small tank best to maybe keep one specimen(ie a betta)or just the guppies.This size tank would be great to keep as a nursery tank.Check water components,can affect behaviour,but just like people they need some room to grow.
Take the tank from the person offering,then you could keep all&a couple more!
Good Luck

Answer 6

hmmmm, well another misinformed person here, that's so sad

betta's require a filter just as any other fish you have or will have in the future
here is an article for you to read up on
http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/caring_for_bettas.html

Also, i generally feed all my fish once or twice a day, just as much as they will eat in under 3 min, that way you don't have ammonia problems
the less food, the less problems

and yes, your tank is definately crowded, and will be even more once your guppy's have fry if you have females

if you don't want to get a 10 gallon, get yourself a 5 gallon kit, which is around $30, plus a heater 7.5 watt which is about $10-15, gravel around $5 and a siphon which is around $6

there you can put your guppies and platy and additionally you can even put a betta in there

I have a male betta in a 5 gallon heated and filtered tank, and 5 female bettas in a 10 gallon heated and filtered tank, and believe me when i tell you that they're thriving in there
they should be in temperatures around 78-82 degrees

also for your 2 gallon tank you should have a heater as well, especially if it cools down at night



Hope that helps
Good luck



EB

Answer 7

That tank is over crowded. those 2 gallon tanks are ment for betta fish. not tropical fish. and ya feeding them 1 time a day is fine. I feed them twice but they like to eat. thoes fish are probally very stressed in that small of a tank. How would you like to live in a 2 bedroom house and never get to leave it. thats what they feel. BUT U DEFINATLY NEED A BIGGER TANK. get a 5 gallon tank. there 40 bux. and the guppys are probally picking on the platy because they want more room!!!!!

Answer 8

Your tank is too crowded now so adding another fish will just stress everyone out. Guppies are naturally curious fish. If I stick my hand in the tank they will come and nibble at it. If they are male guppies they'll be even worse because they seem to want to mate with anything they can find.

Only feed what your fish will eat in 2 minutes. Feeding more will make your water dirty. If you want to feed them once a day that's fine or feed smaller amounts twice a day. I feed my livebearer tanks 2 or 3 times a day to keep them from eating the fry.

Answer 9

It's cruel to keep any fish in such a small container. Those fish need at least a 10 gallon with a filter and heater. Of course the company says to feed too often: They want you to use up their product. Once a day is more than enough. It's even a good idea to skip one day a week and they can go for a week or more without being fed if you have to leave for a few days.

Answer 10

the tank is over crowded try to get a 10 gallon tank it might get the guppies to calm down and not attack him
most fish foods do say the same directions
1 time is good