New fish not eating, on off

[dmh41532]

On Saturday I added a banggai cardinal and it’s still not eating. I do test my water regularly and I’ve noticed today the pH, according to the API kit is 7.8. It is the kit? Or that low? Everything, including the sps corals are fine, with good polyp extension. Calcium was 450, alk 9, mag 1300, phos. <.25 nitrite 0, nitrate ~2.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

pH is fine, my tank fluctuates from 7.8 to 8 throughout the day. Especially if your SPS is fine, then there is no issue with the water. Is this your first fish in that tank? If it's is still small, and fairly young they are known to be extremely picky and hard to get them to eat. What have you tried feeding? I would try some sort of live food.

 

[dmh41532]

No, other fish in the tank, it’s about 13 months old. I know from past experience with cardinals they can take a few days, but I’m starting to worry a bit. I don’t know any stores close to me have live food. I called the store and they said it was eating frozen brine and mysis

pH is fine, my tank fluctuates from 7.8 to 8 throughout the day. Especially if your SPS is fine, then there is no issue with the water. Is this your first fish in that tank? If it's is still small, and fairly young they are known to be extremely picky and hard to get them to eat. What have you tried feeding? I would try some sort of live food.

 

[resortez]

pH is fine, my tank fluctuates from 7.8 to 8 throughout the day. Especially if your SPS is fine, then there is no issue with the water. Is this your first fish in that tank? If it's is still small, and fairly young they are known to be extremely picky and hard to get them to eat. What have you tried feeding? I would try some sort of live food.

I second this. Very finicky eaters, always hesitant during feeding. I have had a few for several years & still keep their distance during feeding. I literately need to step away from the tank so they are comfortable in feeding.

 

[dmh41532]

Hmm. I’ve never had any that bad. Hopefully it’ll start eating soon.

I second this. Very finicky eaters, always hesitant during feeding. I have had a few for several years & still keep their distance during feeding. I literately need to step away from the tank so they are comfortable in feeding

 

[Jasonak]

Mine will only eat brine shrimp.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Hmm. I’ve never had any that bad. Hopefully it’ll start eating soon.

Try propping up your phone to where you can view the whole tank, turn your pumps off, put in some food and walk away for about 5 minutes. Play the video to see if it ate. Fish definitely can see us and sometimes that stresses them out since we are huge compared to them.

 

[dmh41532]

Try propping up your phone to where you can view the whole tank, turn your pumps off, put in some food and walk away for about 5 minutes. Play the video to see if it ate. Fish definitely can see us and sometimes that stresses them out since we are huge compared to them.

I can try that. I think it might be picking at pods off the glass, but idk how long that might last. I know the firefish are eating them.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I can try that. I think it might be picking at pods off the glass, but idk how long that might last. I know the firefish are eating them.

Yes - they will eat plankton and other small crustaceans. Highly possible that's what it's eating.

 

[dmh41532]

Still has absolutely no interest in eating food. It’s looking pretty skinny, its belly and head are pinched in. I doubt it’ll make it. But im
Gonna try some live brine tomorrow.

 

[dmh41532]

Hey guys just an update, sadly the fish didn’t make it. When I got home from work it was dead on the sandbed and the clean up crew pretty much had it picked clean

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Hey guys just an update, sadly the fish didn’t make it. When I got home from work it was dead on the sandbed and the clean up crew pretty much had it picked clean

I am so sorry to hear. Don't be afraid to try again, sometimes every once in awhile we get a fish that is not well suited to be kept in aquariums. It happens to all of us.

 

[danenelsen]

Hey guys just an update, sadly the fish didn’t make it. When I got home from work it was dead on the sandbed and the clean up crew pretty much had it picked clean

I’m sorry to hear that. I haven’t had much luck with Bangaii Cardnals either. Keep trying though! If you want to try a different Cardnal, try Pajamas, they’re hardier than Bangaiis.

 

[dmh41532]

I’ve found them to be 50/50. I knew when I saw its belly and head sunken in there was nothing I could do . I am going to try another one, from a different store. One that sells Ora captive bred