First time using Mysis shrimp for feeding.

[Jojo92]

Hey again, Get ready for a dumb question lol:

Just returned from one of my LFSs, I got some mysis shrimp because one of my lil clownfish hasn’t really been eating and I saw online they seem to like the stuff, the fish store owner agreed. My lil guy literally let’s the flakes go past his face and ignores them.

fish store owner recommended just waving a cube of the mysis in the top of my tank water till a few shrimp break free, and then freezing the rest of the cube and repeating lol, not gonna lie seems convenient!

most things I’ve seen says your supposed to slice it into a smaller increment (I just have the two baby clowns, don’t need much which is why I’d like the wave and refreeze method mentioned above lol), thaw and they seem to make a point of rinse off the meltwalter before tossing into your tank. Does it make to much of a difference?

I’m assuming only rinse it in RO water if rinsing is required, but is there a specific reason to rinse it first?

 

[Kryptonian]

That's move of what works for you. Personally, I don't really like the idea of refreezing a cube with saltwater 3 or more times. It shouldn't be too difficult to cut of a corner of the cube each time you want to feed. Helps avoid refreezing with saltwater on it.

 

[Ippyroy]

I defrost about 3-4 days worth of food at a time. I use San Fransisco Bay variety pack. 5 cubes at a time, and store it in the fridge.Hasn't been an issue. Just pull the container out, pour a little in, and put back in the fridge. I also add a little selecon or amino acids for the last feeding.

 

[Jojo92]

I defrost about 3-4 days worth of food at a time. I use San Fransisco Bay variety pack. 5 cubes at a time, and store it in the fridge.Hasn't been an issue. Just pull the container out, pour a little in, and put back in the fridge. I also add a little selecon or amino acids for the last feeding.

It sounds then like it’ll melt into a liquid if I let it defrost in the fridge? Sorry, lol it’s still in my freezer I’ve never used the stuff before.

 

[Ippyroy]

The food stays whole. It also smells fresh for 4-5 days. If it smells, I just dump it out. A plastic container with a lid is all you need. Lots of people do similar things for the tank sitters when they go on vacation. Selacon works to get fish to eat.

 

[Jojo92]

The food stays whole. It also smells fresh for 4-5 days. If it smells, I just dump it out. A plastic container with a lid is all you need. Lots of people do similar things for the tank sitters when they go on vacation. Selacon works to get fish to eat.

Thanks!

 

[KeystoneMalone]

I usually just cut all the cubes at once when I get a new package into 3 little pieces and put them in a tiny Rubbermaid back in the freezer. Take one out every night, defrost with some tank water in a shot glass and then feed the little guys. I made the mistake of leaving some in my fridge for a bit too long once and my wife wasn’t super happy lol.

 

[Jojo92]

I usually just cut all the cubes at once when I get a new package into 3 little pieces and put them in a tiny Rubbermaid back in the freezer. Take one out every night, defrost with some tank water in a shot glass and then feed the little guys. I made the mistake of leaving some in my fridge for a bit too long once and my wife wasn’t super happy lol.

A shot for them and one for me. I like this idea lol How many fish do you have in your tank? I’m also looking for recommendations of how much to feed. Lol

 

[KeystoneMalone]

A shot for them and one for me. I like this idea lol How many fish do you have in your tank? I’m also looking for recommendations of how much to feed. Lol

Pretty much lol- I have 2 clowns also, sometimes they’ll eat the entire defrosted piece, sometimes they don’t. I feed with a pipette a little at a time over about a 10 minute period rather than dumping it all in at once so I don’t have a ton of uneaten food floating around.

 

[ReefRDY]

Defrost a single cube throw it in a small container ex. plastic sauce cup with lid and feed with a plastic fork until they are full, seal it with the lid and throw it in the fridge for later use if you have leftovers.

 

[MaxxuM]

A shot for them and one for me. I like this idea lol How many fish do you have in your tank? I’m also looking for recommendations of how much to feed. Lol

Easiest way I've found is use a fine mesh "shrimp net" (not fish net) and rinse 2-3 cubes under warm water until they thaw. Then do a quick RODI rinse and toss them into a specimen cup. I add a few drops of Garlic Power (to entice them) and a few Drops of Vitamins; let them sit over night, then feed with a plastic dropper for the next 4-5 days. Use a little RODI water in the specimen cup to keep them moist.

Leave the cup sealed and in the fridge between feedings. Nothing will stink and it will stay good for about a week.

Clowns may not eat for the first 3-5 days due to stress. I advise to leave the lights off for the first day or add them right before lights out for the night. I sometimes cover the aquarium with a dark sheet so it forces them to sleep. If your clown isn't eating and you've had him for more than a week he's either injured or sick.

 

[Jojo92]

Easiest way I've found is use a fine mesh "shrimp net" (not fish net) and rinse 2-3 cubes under warm water until they thaw. Then do a quick RODI rinse and toss them into a specimen cup. I add a few drops of Garlic Power (to entice them) and a few Drops of Vitamins; let them sit over night, then feed with a plastic dropper for the next 4-5 days. Use a little RODI water in the specimen cup to keep them moist.

Leave the cup sealed and in the fridge between feedings. Nothing will stink and it will stay good for about a week.

Clowns may not eat for the first 3-5 days due to stress. I advise to leave the lights off for the first day or add them right before lights out for the night. I sometimes cover the aquarium with a dark sheet so it forces them to sleep. If your clown isn't eating and you've had him for more than a week he's either injured or sick.

He was eating at first but like the last 3 days or so he’s been real blah. I saw him eat one little flake yesterday, today he literally just ignored them. I brought photos of him into the store today, I can’t see anything wrong with him and my other fish is fine. He’s gobbling up all the food the other just seems depressed or something (I know it’s a fish but that’s how he looks!)

I’ve put a few photos up of him in this one. (Unrelated but thinking I want to name them Beth and jerry if I have any Rick and morty fans on here lol)

 

[MaxxuM]

How long have you had them?

 

[Jojo92]

How long have you had them?

Like 2 and a half weeks, the larger one is fine, it’s the smaller one that worries me. They said maybe the larger one is keeping him from eating, but they seem to get along for the most part when I’m watching besides a little tail chasing every so often.

 

[MaxxuM]

Garlic extract can sometimes help when fish are down like that. You can also feed a little on both sides of the tank at the same time with pumps turned off. That way there will be less fighting over food. Clown fish have a LOT of personality and you may not be far off when you say they are depressed (lol I do psych/behavioral research).

He may be experiencing lethargy. Check your tank temperature and ammonia levels. He just may be the weaker of the pair and is showing signs of another problem first.

 

[KingTideCorals]

IMO.....

1. I would utilize the amount that is being consumed... that being said breaking cubes into smaller increments may be the answer.

2. I would NOT refreeze food. Bad idea. Never good to eat freezer burn for ourselves let alone our fishies.

3. Some fish can be picky, it’s all about trying out many different types of food to help find what they will ALL enjoy in the tank.

Hope you’re well! Happy reefing.

 

[Jojo92]

Garlic extract can sometimes help when fish are down like that. You can also feed a little on both sides of the tank at the same time with pumps turned off. That way there will be less fighting over food. Clown fish have a LOT of personality and you may not be far off when you say they are depressed (lol I do psych/behavioral research).

He may be experiencing lethargy. Check your tank temperature and ammonia levels. He just may be the weaker of the pair and is showing signs of another problem first.

I had them test my water, on my end it was looking fine, but since I’m so new at this I figured what the heck and had them do it too. they told me everything was good besides my alkalinity, they said it was a little low. I picked up an alkalinity buffer thing for that. They said to use it after water changes and once a week besides.
I’m going to try the mysis tomorrow instead of the flakes and I’m hoping that helps. If not I might try getting some of the garlic stuff I keep hearing about. Is it just normal garlic or specially made for fish?

 

[Jojo92]

I h

IMO.....

1. I would utilize the amount that is being consumed... that being said breaking cubes into smaller increments may be the answer.

2. I would NOT refreeze food. Bad idea. Never good to eat freezer burn for ourselves let alone our fishies.

3. Some fish can be picky, it’s all about trying out many different types of food to help find what they will ALL enjoy in the tank.

Hope you’re well! Happy reefing.

i def hate freezer burned meat so I can imagine if he’s already this picky. LOL. I’m hoping little jerry is actually just picky.

 

[MaxxuM]

LIke @ReeferBlaine says, don't re-freeze your food. Thawing and re-freezing destroys the nutrient value of food. As long as you keep it frozen it will maintain it's nutritional value for years and years - even past the expire date. Just don't thaw it until it's ready to be consumed (for fish or for people).

 

[MaxxuM]

I had them test my water, on my end it was looking fine, but since I’m so new at this I figured what the heck and had them do it too. they told me everything was good besides my alkalinity, they said it was a little low. I picked up an alkalinity buffer thing for that. They said to use it after water changes and once a week besides.
I’m going to try the mysis tomorrow instead of the flakes and I’m hoping that helps. If not I might try getting some of the garlic stuff I keep hearing about. Is it just normal garlic or specially made for fish?

The one I linked to will do. It's just regular garlic extract with no added chemicals. I get Brightwell because I cannot find it at my local grocery store. And it comes with the nifty bottle and dropper lol.

Did you check the tank temperature?