CACAdmin
Feb 17th 2007, 11:26 PM
It's always interesting to see what happens when you introduce a new (or rather a 'new-to-them') food to your fish. I have had my Blue Gouramis now for just over a month. They have gone from being extremely shy to coming out to greet me to see if I have food. (They're still not terribly brave when other people are around).
I often feed steamed broccoli to my fish. However, I haven't done so since I acquired the gouramis. They are full adult size and I have no idea if they have ever seen broccoli before. I crumbled the flowerettes apart and dropped them in the tank (as per usual) and of course my platys, swords and mollies went nuts over them. The gouramis had no idea what it was and at first kept looking at it but with little interest. However, as they watched the rest of the fish devouring it, one took a cautious taste & spit it back out. After some thought, tried it again and decided it wasn't bad and continued to eat. The other two followed suit. I don't think they're thrilled with it but at least they have decided it's edible.
Somehow, I doubt the gouramis would have even tried the broccoli, if the other fish hadn't been eating it. It seems obvious to me that they were motivated to try it because of the presence of other fish (who were eating it with zeal).
Although I didn't have much difficulty getting my gouramis to eat when I got them, I think this may be helpful to keep in mind if ever new fish are reluctant to eat. Feed them something (within their dietary requirements) that the other fish in the tank absolutely love. It just might motivate them... at least it would be worth a try.
I often feed steamed broccoli to my fish. However, I haven't done so since I acquired the gouramis. They are full adult size and I have no idea if they have ever seen broccoli before. I crumbled the flowerettes apart and dropped them in the tank (as per usual) and of course my platys, swords and mollies went nuts over them. The gouramis had no idea what it was and at first kept looking at it but with little interest. However, as they watched the rest of the fish devouring it, one took a cautious taste & spit it back out. After some thought, tried it again and decided it wasn't bad and continued to eat. The other two followed suit. I don't think they're thrilled with it but at least they have decided it's edible.
Somehow, I doubt the gouramis would have even tried the broccoli, if the other fish hadn't been eating it. It seems obvious to me that they were motivated to try it because of the presence of other fish (who were eating it with zeal).
Although I didn't have much difficulty getting my gouramis to eat when I got them, I think this may be helpful to keep in mind if ever new fish are reluctant to eat. Feed them something (within their dietary requirements) that the other fish in the tank absolutely love. It just might motivate them... at least it would be worth a try.