New Clownfish won't eat

[Sebastiancrab]

I'm just starting out with a 29 gal that is done cycling. I have two clownfish that I have had for several days. I have exchanged single ones with the lfs already since last weekend and then bought an additional one. That is because I thought they were having separation anxiety. I haven't been able to get any of them to eat more than a bite. I have tried marine flakes, frozen mysis shrimp and the hatchery pellets ($25 on food now). We have both tested my water more than once and it is fine. I don't know whether to worry or not. Your thoughts?

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

You can wait a few days or try soaking in garlic or feeding reef frenzy. Alot of fish won't eat for a couple days just because its a new environment.

 

[Big G]

It's hard for fish to turn down live food. Can you get any live black or white worms at your LFS?

 

[Crustaceon]

Live brine or even baby brine.

 

[Bam327]

How big is your clown? When I got mine he (now she, I think) was only an inch, maybe 1.25” long. He couldn’t eat mysis or even regular pellets because they were just too big for him. My LFS gave me a small bag of very tiny pellets (almost dust like). I don’t know if that’s the case with yours but I thought I’d offer my $.02
Also, I don’t think clowns are cerebral enough to get separation anxiety. I think they could be just as happy in a cheese ball container as they would in a full reef tank

 

[bolo1904]

ok sorry to hijack your thread but its same subject and didn't think I should start a new thread. I just recently got some new clownfish too a couple days ago. They seen to be doing just fine in the quarantine tank. But when I feed them, they would suck it up and spit it back out as if they taste it but don't like it. I tried flakes, pellets, and mysis.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

ok sorry to hijack your thread but its same subject and didn't think I should start a new thread. I just recently got some new clownfish too a couple days ago. They seen to be doing just fine in the quarantine tank. But when I feed them, they would suck it up and spit it back out as if they taste it but don't like it. I tried flakes, pellets, and mysis.

Mine did the same thing. I even bought the hatchery tiny pellets. I attribute it to stress due to the environment change. They will get hungrier just hang in there. I am now training them to recognize an automatic feeder.

 

[bolo1904]

i'll head back to the lfs where I got them and ask them what they were feeding them. at least they are rushing to the food as if they are hungry. I guess they are just spoiled brats and have picky tastes. I guess you are right, eventually they will be just eat it.

 

[Reef.]

ok sorry to hijack your thread but its same subject and didn't think I should start a new thread. I just recently got some new clownfish too a couple days ago. They seen to be doing just fine in the quarantine tank. But when I feed them, they would suck it up and spit it back out as if they taste it but don't like it. I tried flakes, pellets, and mysis.

mine do that if they don’t like the food or if it’s too big, even food they like they will try and eat but if it’s the wrong size they will spit it out, also they eat only a small amount, maybe3 or 4 mouthfuls.

I found leaving a bigger gap between feedings and feeding food of different sizes Helped to get them eating.

 

[bolo1904]

mine do that if they don’t like the food or if it’s too big, even food they like they will try and eat but if it’s the wrong size they will spit it out, also they eat only a small amount, maybe3 or 4 mouthfuls.

I found leaving a bigger gap between feedings and feeding food of different sizes Helped to get them eating.

Thanks. The LFS said they fed them mysis. The same stuff i'm feeding them. I'm gonna try mini mysis. Hope they eat that

 

[Reef.]

Thanks. The LFS said they fed them mysis. The same stuff i'm feeding them. I'm gonna try mini mysis. Hope they eat that

Yes try the small, the pieces they eat are very small, now they are being a little more adventurous and going for the odd bigger piece.

Also I read people turning their pumps off, I leave mine on, that whips the food around and maybe gets them in feeding mood. They don’t seem to bother with anything on the top surface.