New clowns not eating.

[Jeepjockey]

i got my first two fish Saturday evening. They still haven’t eaten yet. I know it can take a few days but curious of any tricks to get them eatin. I have flakes and Artemia. one seems interested and attempted once or twice but didn’t eat. Other seems not interested. They stay in the corner of the glass most of the time. I’m curious if my flow is too strong for them since they are little guys.

what tips to get them to eat and should I turn flow off for a while and use just return pump?

 

[Fishy212]

Might still be stressed out due to new conditions. I am assuming your water parameters are stable. You should post them anyways as others will be able to chime in.

After a few days the fish should be hungry enough to eat, if not it may be something more serious, could be a bacterial or viral infection. Look out for the fish’s poop consistency and color as it can be major indicators of the fish’s health.

Lower the flow

make sure they have places to hangout or hide. You may need to turn down your light photoperiod or intensity as they acclimate

Try to use a garlic supplement to entice them to eat or use live foods such as white worms or black worms. That should be enough to get them to take a few bites.


Good luck!

 

[Reef AquaCult]

They might be sick. Look carefully for any skin lesions, breathing, are they swimming into current? If you think flow is too high then decrease it by 50% and see if it helps.

 

[AcroNem]

It can take a few days, assuming they are captive bred clowns like they should be it shouldn't be an issue soon. There isn't much in Artemia so I'd say try some mysis shrimp, you can try soaking with some garlic as an appetite stimulant but for now I'd just let them settle in.

 

[jhoop]

I have three pairs of clowns. Mine did that and after a few days they will eat. Just don't try to overfeed them.

 

[Jeepjockey]

Physically they look fine. No spots or lesions and swim well when not hanging in the corner. I know it can take time, just curious how long is too long. I knocked the flow off for a while to see how they do And if they explore. I have lots of hides and stuff in the rocks which would be less flow.

 

[Jeepjockey]

I’ll do some tests for more updated info, but they’ve been in range last few checks

 

[Reef AquaCult]

In my opinion they should be eating now. Fish love to eat and clownfish should readily adapt to a new tank. Check your params and if all in check and they're still not eating have a low threshold to treat for brooklynella and/or velvet. Clownfish can have these diseases and by the time you see lesions on the skin it can be too late. But check params and play with water flow first, observe carefully.

 

[Westside Guy]

My 2 clowns crave frozen mysis shrimp plus AcroNems suggestion about a garlic additive is another good suggestion for fish not eating.

 

[splitting_lanes]

It took my new clownfish a week to start eating. It’s been 6 months and he’s the pig in the tank.

try a different food, mysis generally works

 

[Jeepjockey]

Here’s my parameters.
ammonia - 0
nitrite - .2
nitrate - 7
ph - 7.5 or lower. looks brighter than 7.6 which is lowest on the color card
alk - 7.5 - 8
salinity - 1.025

Ph is low. Would that cause this? Tips to get levels up?

 

[SeaSickness]

As long as they are not showing signs of any obvious illness, I suspect that they are still acclimating to their new environment. That and the stress of moving.

 

[Jeepjockey]

I laced their food with garlic and they went after it. One maybe more than the other but still good. They had a hard time at first, eating and spitting out like it was too big. Broke them down to small pieces with lil garlic and that did it. Funny but they look better, happier, so quick.

still don’t like the low Ph.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

I laced their food with garlic and they went after it. One maybe more than the other but still good. They had a hard time at first, eating and spitting out like it was too big. Broke them down to small pieces with lil garlic and that did it. Funny but they look better, happier, so quick.

still don’t like the low Ph.

Don’t chase the pH leave it alone. At the most do a partial water change.

 

[Geonet]

Mine took a couple days.. Brine shrimp kicked then into feeding mode.

 

[Paul Bradford]

Don’t chase the pH leave it alone. At the most do a partial water change.

+1. I don’t even test pH, just run a skimmer at all times set to produce a thick skimmate. pH will take care of itself.

 

[Jeepjockey]

Thanks for the help!. They are eating though one seems to be the bully and eats most while the other is still timid. All seems to be working out.

 

[Geonet]

Look up the Sex change thing...pretty awesome.

 

[Geonet]

I may get Flamed,But I Use 8.4 PH from Seachem when doing Partials...I just like my PH to stay Stabile.

 

[Westside Guy]

Look up the Sex change thing...pretty awesome.

Yes, the female clown will dominate the male. This is a regular occurrence with my two Gladiators.