So I can't get my fish to eat the new life spectrum pellets. they will only eat mysis shrimp. I even tried soaking the pellets in a garlic dip but still didn't work. I know there diets can't just be mysis shrimp. Any suggestions?
fish not eating help
- Thread starter Jaxs
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keddre
Well-Known Member
What if you feed at the same time, mysis with a free pellets? That way you start the frenzy and they might accidentally eat some. Then you gradually keep upping the pellet amount until it's only pellets
I could try I'm just nervous about all the uneaten pellets sitting at the bottom of the tank and spoiling my water ya know. I don't mind them eating mysis shrimp I'm trying to balance there diet but I know they can't just only eat mysis shrimp
keddre
Well-Known Member
That's why you only do a couple. Let's say you usually feed one cube of mysis, I'm suggesting that tomorrow you feed a cube + 3 or 4 pellets. If they do eat those pellets, do that for a week then try 3/4 a cube of mysis add a couple more pellets. If you're lucky and they keep eating the pellets, then eventually you can do pellets only. The basic idea is that you're starting the normal feeding frenzy, then slipping in the pellets.
I am condition a moorish idol and got him to eat nls pellets by soaking them in with the mysis "soup" from thawing the mysis (had a drop of garlic extreme in the mix as well) and I let the pellets sit and soak maybe 10 minutes in the soup to get softer and put in just a couple of pellets prior to feeding any mysis and then get out of the way to observe from a distance so he is not spooked. When they were harder he would spit them, but softer seemed to be preferred or he just got used to them. Did not work the first time and I had to experiment a little. I had started by mixing with the mysis and he would just ignore them and go for the mysis which is why I would recommend giving the pellets first when they are hungry and more likely to eat the only option available. I don't know if the fish really think that way, but it seemed like that was one part that helped. When it was just the soaked pellets the first time he would try them and spit them out. The next time I soaked them longer so they were softer and he would eat them. Again maybe it was just acclimation and time being more comfortable, or maybe softer was the key, but it certainly did not hurt. I agree that you don't want to feed a bunch of it to start, I would just test a few pellets with each feeding or be prepared to siphon if you think putting in alot is needed. Good luck.
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What fish are you trying to feed pellets and why pellets? Convienence? I never feed pellet. Many do it but I don't see it as varying diet so much as just being easier. Some fish will never take to them
I have one clown, two cardinals and, and two green chromis. I was trying to mix it up between frozen and pellet food because I was told they can't get all the nutrients they need from just frozen mysis shrimp. I differently don't mind only doing frozen. do you have recommendations of different frozen foods to balance the diet to make sure there getting everything they need?
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Which ones aren't eating pellets? I like to mix it up, I go a bit overboard but primarily mysis and LRS reef frenzy. I also use reef nutrition r.o.e. for my little eaters, LRS fish eggs, rods eggs, nutramar ova, spirulina fed brine shrimp, plankton, live black worms as often as I can. There's a few others I'm missing. Basically just mix it up, each time you get food grab a different one. I like to feed at least two kinds each day
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
I personally don’t ever feed my fish any pellets, instead offering vitamin soaked frozen food medley (several types mixed). and nori.
I have the same can of pellets I had ten years ago. Sometimes a rare fish will eat them only when I get it, so I keep them around!
Sorry I’m not more help!
I have the same can of pellets I had ten years ago. Sometimes a rare fish will eat them only when I get it, so I keep them around!
Sorry I’m not more help!
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
I use selcon, personally. There is a Zoe chem product I believe as well that’s supposed to be good!
tdileo
Valuable Member
My banggai cardinal won’t eat pellets, however he will eat nori, flakes, mysis, and just about anything else. My clowns don’t like mysis for some reason, and my hippo tang is honestly a piranha LOL.
I suggest finding what it will eat and adding those, but in my experience if you just let it starve until it’s hungry enough he’ll go for pellets.
I suggest finding what it will eat and adding those, but in my experience if you just let it starve until it’s hungry enough he’ll go for pellets.
