Platy tropical fish learn to eat their vegetables. Toronto, Canada, Photo1 by Don Tai
Eeat they do, after learning that the green wavy thing in their tank is edible, and that it tastes good, too. Yes, young tropical fish need to learn, on their own, that vegetables are edible and good for them. Unfortunately there is little in terms of communications, that one can do to actively teach them. As with my past goldfish, my six platies, 2 males and 4 females, after a few days, have learned on their own. There are a few tips.
Tropical fish, especially small ones, have small mouths. While the leaf can be large, it must be thin. I select a thin leaf, which I then blanch. After I wash the leaf I put the leaf into a bowl of water and microwave it for 15 seconds. You then need to cool the leaf with cold water. I use a veg clip, which I made from a plastic clip and a suction cup, clip the leaf, and attach it to the side of the tank.
Platy tropical fish learn to eat their vegetables. Toronto, Canada, Photo1 by Don Tai
It will take young fish a couple of days to recognize the leaf as edible. I also have plastic plants in my tank, so I do understand their confusion. The leaf is thin and moves with the water. Eventually they take a nibble. Once one starts, they are sharks at a feeding frenzy.
Platy tropical fish learn to eat their vegetables. Toronto, Canada, Photo2 by Don Tai
Each new leaf is treated with much distrust, often sitting in the tank for a day, untouched. Then a brave fish will take a nibble, after which the scardy fish will join in, and the feeding frenzy begins. A leaf only lasts for a day or two, after which you need to remove the stem.
Platy tropical fish learn to eat their vegetables. Toronto, Canada, Photo3 by Don Tai
Initially there was some aggression from the male fish, who seemed to guard the leaf and chase the female fish away. After the male fish had their fill, the females were able to feed. As I gave my fish more leaves the male fish became less aggressive, until after the 4th leaf there was no aggression.
Platy tropical fish learn to eat their vegetables. Toronto, Canada, Photo4 by Don Tai
A variety of food can only be good for your tropical fish. My platies should feed on mostly vegetables anyway, so leafy lettuce, cabbage or Chinese veg such as mustard, can only be beneficial.
