I just got two new fish, both very small, one is a black moor and one a calico telescope.

I knew they didn't see really well but did not realize how hard it is to feed them. Basically, unless the food falls right in front of their faces they don't see it. They can smell the food and try looking for it in the gravel but I think my rocks are a little too big for them to move around easily.

So I am thinking I need some sort of food dish to use for them. Any suggestions? I am thinking a plastic lid for a yogurt cup or something that was turned upside down would probhably work but I think it would float-maybe I could weight it with a rock or two? These guys, for now, are getting Omega One Sinking Pellets and I will probably try some peas in a few days. I know as they get more used to their tank and a routine is established feeding will probably get easier, but I am still thinking using a food plate will be better for these two.

Any thoughts? What is the best way to get the food onto the plate without missing it? I am thinking just dropping it in it will not always hit the plate. I feel so bad because I know they are smelling the food in the gravel and just can't quite get to it. My rocks are river type smooth stone, about the size of a penny but round instead of flat. I may go barebottom later but the rocks will be staying for awhile. So if you can point me in the right direction that would be great!

Otherwise I am going to be tossing a lot of food in there trying to get it in front of them and will end up vaccuuming the gravel every day! Thanks! :-)

When I kept a baby lionhead in a 29 gallon he had a hard time finding food! I had a little yellow dessert plate that I put in for feeding ime. I had to stick my arm in the water to get them to land there, but he caught on that the yellow plate meant he would be fed soon. Now I suppose I could have made some sort of tube contraption from straws in order to get the pellet to the plate without getting all wet, but why didn't I think of that before? Once they get used to your hands, hand-feeding is the easiest way to feed sinking food. Have fun with your telescopes, they are my favorites!

Thanks Kissy! I think I will just use a regular plate and either use my hand or make some sort of tube contraption. Or maybe they will eat from my fingers eomeday! I am so used to my giant commons flipping themselves out of the tank and trying to take my arm off when I feed them that this is all new! :-)

Alot of people have also used the bottom dish from a Terra Cotta Plant pot also.
What ever you use,just make sure that there's no paint etc. on the dish that may wear off and harm the fish.Those guys being so little makes things a little tougher as do the size of your rocks I also found that feeding in the same corner of the tank seems to help my Moors too.As soon as they hear the tank lid move,they run right over to the area where I drop the food. I'm sure they'll figure it all out in no time.

Yeah, I already noticed some of the food in the rocks is missing now so I think they got it! The rocks aren't that big, but they aren't able to be sucked up and tossed around the way my other fish did! I just want to be careful not to overfeed or overly mess up the tank to make sure they get enough. I will find something, at least temporary, to use as a plate for a bit and I think a routine like feeding in the same corner sounds great too. ;-) Thank you!

Hi Jen,
I do the same as Devs. I feed in the same corner of the tank. As soon as the lid opens they are right there.

My two moors Ebony and Slick are in the 29 gal. Only Slick will eat from my hand. Ebony is more cautious hopefully she would come around one day. Don't worry they will catch on soon.