Ocellaris clowns won't eat...

[Nroddot]

Hi,

I'm a beginner hobbyist. My tank just finished its cycle about a week ago so I decided to add a couple of captive-bred ocellaris clowns from LiveAquaria.

The clowns have been in my tank for three days now and just aren't eating. I've tried frozen brine shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, New Life spectrum pellets, and Neptune crossover pellets.

Admittedly, the more active of the two clowns actually did eat a few tiny scraps of brine shrimp but it hasn't ate anything else -- it just inhales food and spits it right back out.

My other clown, hasn't ate anything at all -- not even the brine shrimp. It expresses interest in food and swims towards it, but it won't even try it -- this is the clown I'm obviously worried more for.


I've spoken to LiveAquaria and they gave me the generic "try an assortment of meaty foods" spiel. I'm worried. because everything I've read indicates that clowns are voracious eaters. Since these are tank raised fish, shouldn't they already be accustomed to pellets and frozen foods?

They swim fine, they have no visible signs of disease or parasite -- they just won't eat. I know these "X fish won't eat" topics are pretty common, but hopefully someone can give me some ideas. I'm starting to stress a bit over this. I've already grown fond of the little guys -- I'd hate to lose them.

 

[Big G]

What size are the fish?

 

[Nroddot]

What size are the fish?

I'd say just shy of two inches in length.

 

[Big G]

The last time I got two ORA Clownfish through LA, they were tiny and one of them never did eat and didn't make it. But I contacted them and finally got the other one to eat the same food ORA was feeding them.

 

[Falco]

The last time I got two ORA Clownfish through LA, they were tiny and one of them never did eat and didn't make it. But I contacted them and finally got the other one to eat the same food ORA was feeding them.

just saw your post while I was doing a search, do you mind sharing what ORA said they were feeding the clowns? I got a pair of ORA gladiator clowns from LA and the tiny one isn't eating anything I offer (the bigger one really isn't either).

 

[Marc2952]

Hi,

I'm a beginner hobbyist. My tank just finished its cycle about a week ago so I decided to add a couple of captive-bred ocellaris clowns from LiveAquaria.

The clowns have been in my tank for three days now and just aren't eating. I've tried frozen brine shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, New Life spectrum pellets, and Neptune crossover pellets.

Admittedly, the more active of the two clowns actually did eat a few tiny scraps of brine shrimp but it hasn't ate anything else -- it just inhales food and spits it right back out.

My other clown, hasn't ate anything at all -- not even the brine shrimp. It expresses interest in food and swims towards it, but it won't even try it -- this is the clown I'm obviously worried more for.


I've spoken to LiveAquaria and they gave me the generic "try an assortment of meaty foods" spiel. I'm worried. because everything I've read indicates that clowns are voracious eaters. Since these are tank raised fish, shouldn't they already be accustomed to pellets and frozen foods?

They swim fine, they have no visible signs of disease or parasite -- they just won't eat. I know these "X fish won't eat" topics are pretty common, but hopefully someone can give me some ideas. I'm starting to stress a bit over this. I've already grown fond of the little guys -- I'd hate to lose them.

Usually clowns wont eat until they feel comfortable in their new environment. Mines didnt eat for almost 2 weeks. Once they do eat they are little pigs just give it time.

 

[Niteowl]

Have you tried soaking food in garlic or selcon. It sometimes help finicky eaters start eating.

 

[Big G]

I tried the above ^^^ and one of the clowns liked it a bit. But here's the one ORA recommended at the time. Both fish loved it.

 

[Falco]

I tried the above ^^^ and one of the clowns liked it a bit. But here's the one ORA recommended at the time. Both fish loved it.

Thanks, thats what I found after a bit of research this morning. I just ordered some from BRS so fingers crossed these guys either can hold out until it comes or I can get them to start eating something else.

 

[Big G]

Thanks, thats what I found after a bit of research this morning. I just ordered some from BRS so fingers crossed these guys either can hold out until it comes or I can get them to start eating something else.

Yes, that's where I got mine from. Unfortunately, by the time I got it, one of the tiny clowns was eating it but it was near death and passed. The other at it up like candy. And today is happy and fat in my DT. Best of luck with your little buddies!

 

[Falco]

FYI if anyone comes across the thread on a future search, I just got my clowns to eat (very little but looks promising) the following pellets that I must have purchased awhile back and never really used (or remember buying honestly). They are VERY small pellets but both ORA clowns seem to be picking at it with interest.

Here is the link

Reef Cell Large Microcapsule Food (400-600 Microns)

Perfect For Large Filter Feeders and Small Reef Fish! The stable structure of New Life Spectrum's Reef Cell food is made with microcapsule technology that creates a stable structure for less nutrient loss into the water column. Designed for feeding small fish and larger filter feeding...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[lapin]

To add to the above post Reeds / Reef Nutrition makes TDO pellets for breeders. They come in very small sizes.

 

[Mmun]

Hi,

I'm a beginner hobbyist. My tank just finished its cycle about a week ago so I decided to add a couple of captive-bred ocellaris clowns from LiveAquaria.

The clowns have been in my tank for three days now and just aren't eating. I've tried frozen brine shrimp, frozen mysis shrimp, New Life spectrum pellets, and Neptune crossover pellets.

Admittedly, the more active of the two clowns actually did eat a few tiny scraps of brine shrimp but it hasn't ate anything else -- it just inhales food and spits it right back out.

My other clown, hasn't ate anything at all -- not even the brine shrimp. It expresses interest in food and swims towards it, but it won't even try it -- this is the clown I'm obviously worried more for.


I've spoken to LiveAquaria and they gave me the generic "try an assortment of meaty foods" spiel. I'm worried. because everything I've read indicates that clowns are voracious eaters. Since these are tank raised fish, shouldn't they already be accustomed to pellets and frozen foods?

They swim fine, they have no visible signs of disease or parasite -- they just won't eat. I know these "X fish won't eat" topics are pretty common, but hopefully someone can give me some ideas. I'm starting to stress a bit over this. I've already grown fond of the little guys -- I'd hate to lose them.

well good news is your on record with LA. They will credit you if they don’t make it. Try LRS nano or fish frenzy.
Did you acclimate them well? Are there any other fish stressing them out

 

[alton]

I received two Black Storms from Ora through LA. They would not eat so I did a search on here and found this thread, other threads, plus I emailed Ora and asked what they fed. Interesting thing was the temperature. Ora keeps the clowns at 82 degrees. Once I raised the temp to 79.3 and tried Hakari Marine S, one started eating. A day later they both ate. I also ordered the Reef Nutrition TDO and it comes in today. Curious to see how well they like it. I tried the New Life Spectrum Pellets, but they where too big. I got them wet and smashed them. But still nothing.

 

[Falco]

I received two Black Storms from Ora through LA. They would not eat so I did a search on here and found this thread, other threads, plus I emailed Ora and asked what they fed. Interesting thing was the temperature. Ora keeps the clowns at 82 degrees. Once I raised the temp to 79.3 and tried Hakari Marine S, one started eating. A day later they both ate. I also ordered the Reef Nutrition TDO and it comes in today. Curious to see how well they like it. I tried the New Life Spectrum Pellets, but they where too big. I got them wet and smashed them. But still nothing.

interesting that they keep them at 82, I am no where near that With my QT and DT. Both are kept around 77-78. Maybe I will raise the temp a bit in the QT and see what happens.

mine won’t touch RN TDO but I am still trying. I have it in pretty much all sizes so hopefully they start taking the x-small or small at some point.

 

[alton]

Here are my two in my instant office QT/Isolation tank. With my Wyze camera I can watch them when I am not at work. Since I get here at 5:10 am and leave at 4:30 everyday I get to enjoy them a bunch. Now when I roll my chair up to the tank they fly to the top for food. Hoping yours starts eating very soon. Only these two little guys can make a 10 gallon tank look big

 

[Nroddot]

Just an update if anyone was ever curious. I did eventually get both clowns to eat New Life Spectrum pellets. But I had to take a spoon and mash the pellets into nearly dust-sized particles for them.

Now they eat all kinds of frozen food, pellets, and flakes. I guess they just needed time to adjust.