silly question? Stop feeding fish = dead fish?

[Aqua-Ryder]

Hi All,

I have a new system with algae bloom... 400 gallons with 11 Tilapia.

Recommendation is to stop feeding the fish (among other things).

No food = dead fish, right? This bloom has been going on for weeks. I think I might die if I was not fed for weeks.

What is the story here?

Do the tilapia live OFF of the algae? Does this mean no food until the algae is clear?


Thanks for your insights.

[helomech]

Feeding and algae have nothing to do with each other. Yes tilapia eat algae. If your ammonia is not high, and your nitrites are not high, than there is no reason not to feed. If you want to get rid of the aglae you are going to have to remove the light hitting the tank. I have a tank that is set up just for turning green.

[Aqua-Ryder]

Thanks for the reply...

Well, that's interesting and all...

But commonly, the advice I have been reading to combat algae bloom is to stop feeding. This is because feeding the fish allows the algae to grow, and the algae can kill the fish by denying them oxygen, and ruin the plants by denying them nutrition.

So the question still is... Stop feeding fish = dead fish? In the case if Tilapia, ok, if they eat algae, they can survive, for a time then. But what of the fish that don't?

[ande]

Stop feeding fish = dead fish? In the case if Tilapia, ok, if they eat algae, they can survive, for a time then. But what of the fish that don't?

No problem to stop feeding "the fish" for a extended period of time. http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v36n4/4709.pdf

I'm not familiar with tilapia, but any/all fish species survive for months without fod as long as the water parameters are ok.

When advice is given to stop feeding the fish, it's because you allmost instantly, will get better readings (quality)
because you stop poluting the water.

cheers

[GaryD]

Hi Aqua-Ryder,

When you're confronted with any water quality issue, I advise:

• Stop feeding
• Check your tank bottom for uneaten food and remove it.
• Increase the flow rate through your system – more water flow means more nitrification and aeration.
• Add salt – at the rate of 1 part per thousand. That’s 1kg of salt to each 1,000 litres of water.
• Boost aeration – there are very few water quality issues that will not benefit from more oxygen.
• Change water – if things are not moving in a positive direction. This might be seen in some quarters as wasting water (that depends entirely on what you do with it next) but having your fish die for the want of a water change is just plain dumb. Limit your water change to that needed to address the problem.

An algae bloom will involve some significant shifts in pH and dissolved oxygen and should be managed effectively.

Gary

[Aqua-Ryder]

No problem to stop feeding "the fish" for a extended period of time. http://www.scielo.br/pdf/bjmbr/v36n4/4709.pdf

I'm not familiar with tilapia, but any/all fish species survive for months without fod as long as the water parameters are ok.

When advice is given to stop feeding the fish, it's because you allmost instantly, will get better readings (quality)
because you stop poluting the water.

cheers

Months without food.... wow... I am truly amazed... life is such a mystery! Thanks for the link!

[bigdaddy]

Months without food.... wow... I am truly amazed... life is such a mystery! Thanks for the link!

Hi Aqua-Ryder,

I had Barramundi which are a tropical fish, just as your tilapia are....Algae can come around from time to time, particularly when the water is nice and warm.

I've found the best way to stop algae is to stop the sunlight hitting your water....

All I did was, to cover the tank, and black it out for a week.... but you can black your tank out for as long as it takes for the algae to go....I did not interrupt the feeding cycle at all.

Is the algae the only issue you have with your water?

Cheers.

[tpilk]

Hi Aqua-Ryder,

I'm curious as to where you are getting your initial advice. As BD mentioned, light is the key to controlling algae. There are other factors which can contribute - as Helomech mentioned, understanding where your water chemistry is would be helpful. Also, have you changed anything or introduced anything new to the system lately? Simple question, but people occasionally try new things that have adverse consequences. An algae related Example: I read where someone was applying urea to the system (with fish in the tank) in order to more quickly cycle. Just one of many stories you run across...

There is an old saying that I think I've been hearing for some 30 years now - "hungry fish are healthy fish." The saying doesn't refer to skinny or starving fish, it is really alluding to healthy tank conditions. We often try to maximize tank conditions to allow for rapid fish growth and in the process don't meet all of the requirements to do it safely.

The list Gary gave is the initial "first aid" response for any number of water problems you might encounter - the sooner you react, the better your chance of recovery. Nothing on that list will do harm and several items could potentially save your investment.

Good luck and get a lid on that tank

[GaryD]

Hi Tpilk,

There is an old saying that I think I've been hearing for some 30 years now - "hungry fish are healthy fish." The saying doesn't refer to skinny or starving fish, it is really alluding to healthy tank conditions.

There another saying that goes "a hungry fighter is a good fighter".....and pig farmers often talk about always keeping a pig slightly hungry.

I think there are two things at play here.......good nutritional practice and high levels of motivation.

As someone who loves to get their snout in the trough, the pig farmers' advice would probably be handy for me, too.

Gary