Fish food

[Doop]

Hi everyone! I’m new to this as this is my first saltwater tank. I have a 46 gallon bow front tank. After cycling, my water parameters are spot on. So I went and adopted my first fish. I now have 2 Ocellaris Clowns, 1 Pajama Cardinal, and 1 Banggai Cardinal. My question is “food” I’ve read some posts in the past discussing this but I’m still unsure of what will work best. I did buy

some “New life Spectrum” (Marine Formula) they are a sinking pellet. But the cardinals do not see to be interested and the clowns suck them in and spit them back out. Ugh! I’m worried this isn’t the one for them or is it because there new to the tank and each other they won’t eat yet? Thanks to all who take the time to read and reply! So far loving this hobby!

 

[eatbreakfast]

Many fish won't take dry food right away. Try frozen mysis for a few weks, then try dry again once the fish recognize you as their feeder.

 

[Doop]

Many fish won't take dry food right away. Try frozen mysis for a few weks, then try dry again once the fish recognize you as their feeder.

Ok I’ll try that, was the choice of food I chose ok? Or is there something else I should be using? Thanks for your input! So much to learn, but what an awesome hobby!

 

[GoVols]

Ok I’ll try that, was the choice of food I chose ok? Or is there something else I should be using? Thanks for your input! So much to learn, but what an awesome hobby!

Doop,
Welcome to "our" Reef 2 Reef family.

You could try some LRS "Reef Frenzy" food too. Really good stuff.

 

[cloak]

I would definitely get yourself some Spirulina flakes and perhaps some regular flakes as well. Ocean Nutrition's Formula Two & Prime Reef would be examples of these. As far as those pellets go this is a great food, but like mentioned above sometimes it just takes time for the fish to accept it. You might want to try soaking the pellets in a cup of water for about 5 minutes beforehand though. This will soften them up a little and make it easier for the fish to eat. All in all though the more variety you can provide the better. This could be dry food, frozen food, live food etc. Whatever works. GL.

 

[ccbobafett]

My experience with cardinals is they will not usually except many dry foods especially when frozen food is also being offered, mind only eat mysis shrimp.

 

[Paul B]

I personally would not feed any dry foods including pellets to anything. I would only use fresh or frozen. BTW, all my cardinals are spawning and always have. But no dry food.

 

[cgdcinc]

It just takes a week or so for them to adapt to pellet food. NLS Thera A imo is a good food for all of my tanks. I mix in frozen mysis and brine with some cyclopeeze once a week.

 

[PatW]

I find that fish are more likely to eat pellets if you soak them until they are soft.

 

[Doop]

I sure appreciate everyone’s feed back so quickly! This is a great start for a awesome hobby. I’m
In a small town with no way to buy what’s needed. So it’s great to know what to buy before I get to the big city. Thanks everyone!

 

[MBX5]

I personally would not feed any dry foods including pellets to anything. I would only use fresh or frozen. BTW, all my cardinals are spawning and always have. But no dry food.

What about when on vacation?

 

[Paul B]

What about when on vacation?

Before I go on vacation I freeze small amounts of food in film containers. The tank sitter just puts one in my food defroster in the tank every day.
I use no dry foods.

 

[biomek]

Ocean Nutrition's Formula Two & Prime Reef would be examples of these..

I second this. primary food i feed my tank are both of these with some ON brine flakes a few times a week as well for variety along with NLS pellets. was a slow start with all the fish but as others have said, once they recognize you at the tank for feeding, mine tend to go nuts waiting for it.

 

[Snuggs]

Soak my pellets in Selcon, even my mandarin eats them