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Getting fish to eat

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by ICreefNoob, Nov 15, 2012.

  1. ICreefNoob

    ICreefNoob

    58
    Ratings:
    +1 / 1 / -0

    I picked up a small clownfish at the fragfest last saturday from booyahs. After acclimation and introducing him to my tank all that he does is run laps around the top rim of the tank frantically.

    He does not go deeper than 4-5 inches from the surface and doesn't really seem to acknowledge much else of anything. Every day I have tried to feed him with something different (spectrum small fish pellets, frozen cyclopeeze, mysis shrimp, flakes, finely diced chunks of fresh clam) and he completely ignores the food even if it is in his face. The only other fish in the tank is a tangaroa goby who sits on the bottom all day and eats quite enthusiastically.

    All corals (LPS and softies) are doing well and my test kits test 0 for ammonia nitrite and nitrate, temp is 77.5 and salinity is 1.023.

    Is there anything I am doing that is preventing him from eating? Could different lighting or too much flow be affecting him? Any suggestions?
     
  2. Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    I don't see anything you are doing wrong. Some fish take longer to eat then others. The clown you bought are young and are used to being in groups so maybe that could be a problem. I would contact the seller and ask what you could do. you are doing everything I would do.Goood luck
     
  3. Killernights

    Killernights Inactive User

    217
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    sounds like he isn's used to his surroundings...is there anyway you could confine him, like in a breeding container and keep him in there in your tank. would allow you to feed him easier and may make him feel more secure until he gets used to the open space in the tank...just my 2 pennies worth
     
  4. beckerj3 Expert Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +616 / 2 / -0

    I'd try garlic xtreme made by Kent Marine. You add a drop to the food and let it soak in a bit of RO water before feeding. It enhances the flavor. I'd try that with the frozen cyclopese. As small as they are, they need very small size pieces of food. Still might take a couple of days.
     
  5. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    Agree it is stressed out. It is used to being in a big school of brothers & sisters, and is now alone & trying to find them. Do you have a smaller tank you can house it in with some hiding places for now?

    Garlic is a very good appetite stimulant.
     
  6. ICreefNoob

    ICreefNoob

    58
    Ratings:
    +1 / 1 / -0
    Thanks for the advice. Seems like the general consensus other then patience is to find some way to confine him to make him feel safe. I don't have a smaller tank that is currently set up and cycled.
    Is there a clever way I can create a smaller enclosure within my tank easily?
    I could also try and put him in the fuge (~ 4 gallons ) for a while.
    Any thoughts?
     
  7. xroads Veteran Reefkeeper Vendor

    La Porte City, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,014 / 6 / -0
    I would go for the fuge, maybe throw a piece of pipe in there for him to hide in
     
  8. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
    Ratings:
    +40 / 1 / -0
    I my clowns stayed up top for 2 weeks before they moved to the bottom. I think it will eventually come around.
     
  9. Donavon

    Donavon

    293
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    I purchased two of them and they would not eat either then I used Cyclopeeze and they seem to love it.
     
  10. Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

    242
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    +0 / 0 / -0
    Seascapes has those little hang on tanks that just use an air pump to circulate water in and out. I think they're only $11. Very cool way to acclimate without adding to the tank IMHO. I bought one of those clowns at the show. Never could get him to eat anything at all in isolation or main tank. When I came home last night he was dried up and dead on my floor. I only have a one inch gap around a part of my screen top and it looks like he torpedoed through it. Crazy...
     
  11. ICreefNoob

    ICreefNoob

    58
    Ratings:
    +1 / 1 / -0
    Just an update... I have tried to catch him to move him to my refugium with no success. He is too quick to catch without tearing the whole tank apart. Last night however I was feeding with cyclopeeze and he actually started eating! It wasn't a huge amount but hopefully he will begin to eat more as he gets more comfortable.
     

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