Feeding and Nutrition :: Feeding Guppies

[cheech&chong]

Hi, I'm new here.
I recently got two very young RES. I bought them 30 guppies two weeks ago which they quickly ate within three days (I also fed them Reptomin regularly during this time.

A week ago I got them 30 more guppies and they have been taking a long time to eat them... like they just don't want to anymore.

Is this normal? Are the fish just too quick for these babies?

Thanks!

[BullDog]

Wow! 30 guppies in 3 days is a lot! You don't need to feed them guppies every week either. Guppies are high in protein, which can lead to pyramiding. It's normal that they wouldn't want the guppies as much anymore. After all, if you ate a whole bunch of fish all week, you'd get sick of it too

Also, they're never too young to start introducing vegies (if you haven't already)

[cheech&chong]

Thanks. Actually no, I haven't fed them veggies yet. After reading the diet plans on this board I feel like an unfit "parent"... I mean, I just planned on giving them Reptomin and some fish here and there... Is that bad for them?

I guess I'll get them some lettuce and carrots tomorrow to give them some variety.

Now, I feed them both in the tank... how do I feed them veggies? Just drop them in the water or what?

[DavidY]

That's what I do. i just drop it in the corner of the tank that they like to beg at. I tear it up a bit so it's easier for them to eat, but they are capable of tearing it themselves too. The filter pushes the leaves around the tank, but they eventually eat it all within a couple of hours. Just leave it in there and then clean out any leftovers a few hours before the lights go out. It may take a few days for them to get used to it. If they are really small they may not be as interested in it.

As they get bigger though you can cut their feed amount by half for a day or two so they are nice and hungry. Then on the third day, drop one or two pellets for each turtle to get the feeding frenzy going. Then start dropping in the pieces of lettuce, but no more pellets. Eventually they may start going for the lettuce.

[cheech&chong]

Cool! Thanks...

Lots of info around here, great place!

[DavidY]

Nice dreams, man!

[kornygerm]

if if works for you, could make a "guppie farm"

[Hoooneylynn]

I like to shred the lettuce into small pieces, they can tear it, but my turt likes to inhale it and sometimes she has trouble swallowing it if its too big... I suggest rosie reds intead of guppies, and I only give her 2-3 a month... its a treat