Clownfish won't eat

[danenelsen]

2 days ago, I introduced a new black ocellaris clownfish to my 55 gallon tank. I have tried feeding baby brine shrimp and flakes but it hasn't eaten either. What should I do? Do I just need to wait?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

A clownfish not eating isn't normal after two days (maybe the first day it's o.k.). Do you know what it was eating before you go it? (Try that of course).

Any other fish in the tank? Are they eating o.k.?

Jay

 

[danenelsen]

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

A clownfish not eating isn't normal after two days (maybe the first day it's o.k.). Do you know what it was eating before you go it? (Try that of course).

Any other fish in the tank? Are they eating o.k.?

Jay

I am not sure what it was being feed at the store. I will try to find out tomorrow. There is only one other fish in the tank (another clown) and it seems to be eating fine.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I am not sure what it was being feed at the store. I will try to find out tomorrow. There is only one other fish in the tank (another clown) and it seems to be eating fine.

Could the other clown be aggressive to this on? Any ripped fins?
Jay

 

[danenelsen]

Could the other clown be aggressive to this on? Any ripped fins?
Jay

Nope, I don't see any. I am pretty sure that they are bonded.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Well, getting a fish to feed when it doesn’t want to is tough to do. Let’s wait and see if it feeds tomorrow…..
Jay

 

[Uncle99]

Nope, I don't see any. I am pretty sure that they are bonded.

Maybe just a bit shy?
Maybe stealing some when your not in the room.
Too early to judge, what him closely for any changes in behaviors over the next 24-48 hours.

 

[danenelsen]

Well, getting a fish to feed when it doesn’t want to is tough to do. Let’s wait and see if it feeds tomorrow…..
Jay

Ok, I'll keep you updated

 

[vetteguy53081]

2 days ago, I introduced a new black ocellaris clownfish to my 55 gallon tank. I have tried feeding baby brine shrimp and flakes but it hasn't eaten either. What should I do? Do I just need to wait?

To add to jay, how is fish breathing - normal or rapid ?
How did you acclimate fish and for how long ?
Any pics under white lighting you can provide? Pssst - Jay likes videos

 

[danenelsen]

To add to jay, how is fish breathing - normal or rapid ?
How did you acclimate fish and for how long ?
Any pics under white lighting you can provide? Pssst - Jay likes videos

The fish is breathing normal. I acclimated him for 1hr and 5 minutes. Here are some pictures and a video.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The fish is breathing normal. I acclimated him for 1hr and 5 minutes. Here are some pictures and a video.

Overall fish looks normal. I see it is in the corner suggesting intimidation by other. A quick test is to net and temporarily place other clown in acclimation box or clean bucket for a couple of hours AND SEE IF OTHER COMES DOWN AND INTO OPEN.... then you will know if aggression.
The other is I cant tell how much flow but there is an abundance of micro-bubbles and debris making me curious what your ammonia and nitrate levels are ?

 

[danenelsen]

Overall fish looks normal. I see it is in the corner suggesting intimidation by other. A quick test is to net and temporarily place other clown in acclimation box or clean bucket for a couple of hours AND SEE IF OTHER COMES DOWN AND INTO OPEN.... then you will know if aggression.
The other is I cant tell how much flow but there is an abundance of micro-bubbles and debris making me curious what your ammonia and nitrate levels are ?

I just tested ammonia and nitrate. Ammonia is 0 ppm and nitrate is 25 ppm. The clownfish usually aren't at the top. They just go up there at night when the lights are blue or off, and they were on blue right before I took the pictures.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just tested ammonia and nitrate. Ammonia is 0 ppm and nitrate is 25 ppm. The clownfish usually aren't at the top. They just go up there at night when the lights are blue or off, and they were on blue right before I took the pictures.

What test kits are you using?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I just tested ammonia and nitrate. Ammonia is 0 ppm and nitrate is 25 ppm. The clownfish usually aren't at the top. They just go up there at night when the lights are blue or off, and they were on blue right before I took the pictures.

I don't see anything alarming in the video. Here is an article I wrote on fish not feeding. It won't give you any magic answers, but the first few paragraphs help to explain the issue:

Chronic Anorexia in Aquarium Fishes

Don't fall into the trap of assuming the fish will begin feeding when it gets hungry enough, or conclude it must be eating something, just not when you are watching.

reefs.com

Jay

 

[danenelsen]

What test kits are you using?

Api and salifert

 

[danenelsen]

Good news! The new clown ate! I fed them flakes this morning and he gobbled them up! Thank you everyone who helped!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good news! The new clown ate! I fed them flakes this morning and he gobbled them up! Thank you everyone who helped!

Great to hear
Dont rely on flakes and pellets alone. Add to the diet:
LRS fish frenzy
Spirulina brine shrimp
Marine cuisine
Mysis shrimp
small plankton

 

[danenelsen]

Ok, thank you!

 

[Cprivi]

I don't see anything alarming in the video. Here is an article I wrote on fish not feeding. It won't give you any magic answers, but the first few paragraphs help to explain the issue:

Chronic Anorexia in Aquarium Fishes

Don't fall into the trap of assuming the fish will begin feeding when it gets hungry enough, or conclude it must be eating something, just not when you are watching.

reefs.com

Jay

I have a similar situation that I’m trying to treat. I have two Percula (I think) Clowns that I’ve had for about 4 years. In the past week, the much larger female stopped eating altogether. She used to be the most voracious feeder in the tank. I put her in QT 2 days ago to start treating with Metroplex and Kanaplex and to keep a closer eye on her since the QT tank is in my WFH office. I noticed that she swims on her side sometimes, upside down sometimes and floating on the top sometimes. No lesions visible so all signs suggest swim bladder disease. Tried feeding a boiled pea but no dice. Any suggestions?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have a similar situation that I’m trying to treat. I have two Percula (I think) Clowns that I’ve had for about 4 years. In the past week, the much larger female stopped eating altogether. She used to be the most voracious feeder in the tank. I put her in QT 2 days ago to start treating with Metroplex and Kanaplex and to keep a closer eye on her since the QT tank is in my WFH office. I noticed that she swims on her side sometimes, upside down sometimes and floating on the top sometimes. No lesions visible so all signs suggest swim bladder disease. Tried feeding a boiled pea but no dice. Any suggestions?

If the other clown is symptom free, this one is unlikely to have anything that metroplex would help with. It could be a bacterial issue, so Kanaplex is a good option. Boiled peas - that is an old remedy for fancy goldfish that somehow got applied to marine fish, it doesn't do anything for them.

Do you have any idea as to the possible age of this fish? You've had it 4 years, was it an adult when you got it?

Jay