help getting chalices to eat

Tabasco1 · Jul 16, 2012

Would love some advice on getting chalices to eat. I have had one for about 3 months and it looks healthy, has colored up some in my tank and looks great. Getting new growth, rim is growing over the plug (no new eyes though). I have never gotten it to eat when I am feeing my acans, favias and blastos. They all go crazy and it has never responded. I thought maybe it was that particular piece. I have just added 3 more chalice about a week ago. Have tried 2x to feed them ( I realize this could still be a bit early as they were shipped and only in my system for a week) with no resonse. Is there a trick? Is there something I can do to encourage a response?

TIA!

m and m · Jul 16, 2012

What are you trying to feed them?

k2parkstar · Jul 16, 2012

Not all chalices eat. I've got several chalices who don't put out feeder tentacles nor respond to feeding, just depends on the species

3Twinklets · Jul 16, 2012

I feed Reef Frenzy and Roggers (Alternating) I just fed last night just after the lights ramp down to night lights. I also turn the pump off. Its cool to watch their mouths open that you do not even see otherwise. Hope this helps

Tabasco1 · Jul 16, 2012

I am trying to feed mysis and nutra mar ova. When I am feeding after a couple minutes the one I have had for a couple months looks like its mouth opens a bit, but no tentacles come out. I get excited when I see the mouth pucker and get bigger, but nothing sticks to it. If I try to put food directly on it, it will then get shy and close back up. I don't know what species the one I have had for longer is. I try to feed at the same time 2x a week. after daylights have been off for 1-1.5 hrs and just actinics are on. But before lights are completely off.

The new ones are a spaceghost watermelon, gold rush and red wine from WWC. I am hoping they will come around after they have settled in a bit more, but dont' know. :neutral:

m and m · Jul 16, 2012

I would wait 2-3 hours after the lights go out and try just the mysis and place it on the eye.

Clay4AU · Jul 16, 2012

My chalices put out their feeders after all the lights are out except the moonlight leds. So you may just be trying a little early.
If you don't have a moonlight module I would recommend one, it adds a whole new dimension to the tank.

stylaster · Jul 16, 2012

For ones that are a bit finky about a feeding response. I add oyster feast to the water and I get a feeding response from all my chalices, even new ones that just came in. Sometimes it takes about 30-60 mins before they respond, but they all do

Tabasco1 · Jul 16, 2012

WOW... 2-3 hrs after lights out? I might have to change my light schedule.

Right now the actinics go off about 10:45pm. If they don't have feeders out should I even bother trying to feed? I do have a moonlight. It is not super bright though, just a single LED. Is it just the initial feeding response that is the most difficult? Once they start responding will they eat more readily? I swear some of my corals have a feeding response from just me putting my hand in the water when I clean!

Really appreciate responses from the chalice heavy hitters!

Tabasco1 · Jul 17, 2012

update-I happened to have a late night last night and looked at them about an hour after the lights went out. The spaceghost watermelon and the chalice pictured above both had feeders out on several eyes. Looks like changing my light schedule is in order.

Thanks!

3Twinklets · Jul 17, 2012

Good for you and your babies! Lots of good ideas. I am going to try Oyster feast myself

Bubbles_B · Jul 17, 2012

I most certainly agree here. I always feed after the lights have been turned off for several hours.

m and m said:
I would wait 2-3 hours after the lights go out and try just the mysis and place it on the eye.

NanoNathan · Jul 20, 2012

FEEEEED MEEE

Tabasco1 · Jul 20, 2012

That's awesome!! Did u have to "train" it to put feeders out in the light?

LECorals31 · Jul 20, 2012

NanoNathan said:
FEEEEED MEEE

Great shot. Looks hungry..

m88a2 · Jul 20, 2012

I like to use small sized pellets with the pumps off. its easier to drop them directly in the eye and get it to stay in place. this is especially helpful for my chalices that don't put out tentacles too often like my watermelon. After a few minutes the eye opens up and downs the food. I also have to turn powerheads to feed mode and scare away the shrimps and snails.

NanoNathan · Jul 20, 2012

Tabasco1 said:
That's awesome!! Did u have to "train" it to put feeders out in the light?

No training. I feed ever other day or so reef plankton and other food s. As soon as the lights go out about an.hour to 2 hours all of the feeders come out. My advice a few times a week at night offer food turn pumps off and put it on the eye. Good luck

Sent from my tank using tapatalk

Connie · Jul 20, 2012

I have a Christmas Chalice (I think that's what it is) that is growing very nicely. It is larger than a golf ball, but smaller than a tennis ball. It swells up at night and food sticks to it, but I've never seen feeding tentacles. I alternate between oyster feast and mysis.

dnov99 · Jul 20, 2012

I have my lights scheduled so they go out at 8:00, so at 10:00 I go down to feed. Turn pumps off, I cover all the chalices with my super-secret concoction of food and leave it on them for about an hour. They usually suck up all the food and are fat and happy. Even they hard to feed chalices that dont put out sweepers will eventually suck up the food with this method.

lawnman · Jul 20, 2012

dnov99 said:
I have my lights scheduled so they go out at 8:00, so at 10:00 I go down to feed. Turn pumps off, I cover all the chalices with my super-secret concoction of food and leave it on them for about an hour. They usually suck up all the food and are fat and happy. Even they hard to feed chalices that dont put out sweepers will eventually suck up the food with this method.

We are all family here what is the concoction?