Clown not eating

tgs · Feb 22, 2023

I got a Clown four days ago. On the second day, I fed the fish some pellets, and he took them. But, the clown would only hover over the food the following days after I threw one or two pellets in, occasionally repeatedly spitting it out. The fish shows no symptoms of illness and is breathing normally. I am aware that I should give the fish time to adjust to its new surroundings, but I am scared the clownfish won't eat any more and will end up dying.

Magic031707 · Feb 22, 2023

Did you see it eat before you purchase it, if brought from lfs? Have you tried different foods? In quarantine or DT?

gbroadbridge · Feb 22, 2023

tgs said:
I got a Clown four days ago. On the second day, I fed the fish some pellets, and he took them. But, the clown would only hover over the food the following days after I threw one or two pellets in, occasionally repeatedly spitting it out. The fish shows no symptoms of illness and is breathing normally. I am aware that I should give the fish time to adjust to its new surroundings, but I am scared the clownfish won't eat any more and will end up dying.

Will it eat frozen food?

You may have to train it to eat pellets, by mixing with frozen food.
I have one Picasso Clown that will not eat pellets, not ever.

Jay Hemdal · Feb 22, 2023

tgs said:
I got a Clown four days ago. On the second day, I fed the fish some pellets, and he took them. But, the clown would only hover over the food the following days after I threw one or two pellets in, occasionally repeatedly spitting it out. The fish shows no symptoms of illness and is breathing normally. I am aware that I should give the fish time to adjust to its new surroundings, but I am scared the clownfish won't eat any more and will end up dying.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Typically, clownfish adjust to new aquariums very quickly. With yours, that it ate on day 2, but not know rules out any issues with adjustment, since it was eating and now stopped.

What other fish are in with it?
What are your water quality parameters?
Can you post a short video of it?

Jay