Tricks to encourage eating in a QT?

LiquidFunk · Jan 18, 2019

I am admittedly new to QT, I have always been a fan of putting fish directly into the DT because they can graze on pods, algae etc. I currently have fish in a QT and I am struggling to get them to eat, mostly the Quayi Parrot. Oddly the Regal Angel seems to have the best appetite even over the tangs.
Tangs (Sailfin, YE Kole and naso)
Quayi parrot
Melanaris
Regal Angel

QT has a Nero for flow, HOB biowheel, heater, PVC, Ammonia guard. The tank is covered in butcher paper to avoid disturbance, however I have 2 cameras on it to watch their behavior when feeding etc. I literally have it running on an ipad on my desk all day while working to keep an eye on them.

I have coppersafe but its only at like 0.5ppm. I am waiting until they are eating before raising it.

I have had the most success with D-D Reef Paste, which can be pressed onto the glass so they can graze on it. I tried nori but no one touched it. Have also tried various pellets and frozen PE mysis.

I used Bio-Spira a few days before adding fish and the tank has been cloudy since. I am now doing 5gal per day WC. Salinity is at 18 (1.018)

Would increasing the salinity encourage eating and less stress?

HotRocks · Jan 18, 2019

I just recently got a parrotfish eating with large pellets.

LRS frozen food seems to work really well for picky eaters.

Have you tried any live food? Tangs love live brine. It's a good way to Kickstart them. Live blackworms work well for some fish as well.

HB AL · Jan 18, 2019

Live food is always a good bet to entice a fish that’s not eating.

Geebs19 · Jan 18, 2019

@HotRocks correct me if I am wrong, but if you already started copper, cant that suppress a fishes appetite?

LiquidFunk · Jan 18, 2019

HotRocks said:
I just recently got a parrotfish eating with large pellets.

LRS frozen food seems to work really well for picky eaters.

Have you tried any live food? Tangs love live brine. It's a good way to Kickstart them. Live blackworms work well for some fish as well.

Won't they quickly die in the hypo salinity and low copper? Also I don't have an LFS near me, does Petco or similar offer live near anyone?

Geebs19 said:
@HotRocks correct me if I am wrong, but if you already started copper, cant that suppress a fishes appetite?

I was under the impression this was directly proportional to the amount of copper, and low copper wouldn't do much?

HotRocks · Jan 18, 2019

Geebs19 said:
@HotRocks correct me if I am wrong, but if you already started copper, cant that suppress a fishes appetite?

Rarely have I experienced copper as an issue. At high levels it may be more of a factor. I drop fish (that are known to be picky) into 1.0ppm even some into fully therapeutic (1.75ppm copper power) copper without issue. It might take a couple of days to get them eating or so.

HotRocks · Jan 18, 2019

LiquidFunk said:
Won't they quickly die in the hypo salinity and low copper? Also I don't have an LFS near me, does Petco or similar offer live near anyone?

I was under the impression this was directly proportional to the amount of copper, and low copper wouldn't do much?

While 1.018 is lower salinity it's not actually hypo. Brine are actually brackish anyway. Blackworms are freshwater. At any rate, You would only want to put in as much as they eat right away.

Petco doesn't offer but we have a LFS that does nearby, here in Indy.

LiquidFunk · Jan 18, 2019

humm, perhaps a FW store might have brine, I only know of the SW stores in my area.

I've had the fish since Monday, got them straight from wholesalers in LA so no LFS in the middle.

HotRocks · Jan 18, 2019

LiquidFunk said:
humm, perhaps a FW store might have brine, I only know of the SW stores in my area.

I've had the fish since Monday, got them straight from wholesalers in LA so no LFS in the middle.

Our largest SW store has both, along with ghost shrimp and guppies. They keep plenty of live feeders.

ngoodermuth · Jan 18, 2019

Back up... ammonia reducer and copper is a BIG no-no. It increases the toxicity of the copper ten-fold. If you were at full therapeutic, all of those fish would die. That could very well be why they aren’t eating...

Geebs19 · Jan 18, 2019

You may want to check with your local Petco, I know mine sells both RODI and Saltwater.

cracker · Jan 18, 2019

I try to mimic the way fish eat in nature. If they are used to eating off the rock. smash it into a piece of Lr If they like eating out of the water column ? feed that way. Cover the bottom sides & back of the tank. This way they don't have to look over their back for predators. No light, stay away as much as possible. Give them peace & quiet !

LiquidFunk · Jan 18, 2019

ngoodermuth said:
Back up... ammonia reducer and copper is a BIG no-no. It increases the toxicity of the copper ten-fold. If you were at full therapeutic, all of those fish would die. That could very well be why they aren’t eating...

I never said anything about ammonia reducer, and I was aware of this. While I have prime on hand, I know not to use it.

LiquidFunk · Jan 18, 2019

cracker said:
I try to mimic the way fish eat in nature. If they are used to eating off the rock. smash it into a piece of Lr If they like eating out of the water column ? feed that way. Cover the bottom sides & back of the tank. This way they don't have to look over their back for predators. No light, stay away as much as possible. Give them peace & quiet !

The tank is in a dark place in our home (basement), I have a very crappy led that barely illuminates it. I don't think "no light" is the answer since it would be pitch black and they would have a very difficult time finding food in total darkness. Do you agree a weak light is OK?

ngoodermuth · Jan 18, 2019

LiquidFunk said:
I never said anything about ammonia reducer, and I was aware of this. While I have prime on hand, I know not to use it.

You mentioned Ammonia Guard, I assumed that was an ammonia reducing product like AmGuard.

cracker · Jan 18, 2019

@LiquidFunk Sure a little light is fine ! Not pitch black of course .

lapin · Jan 18, 2019

Live food: live Black worms, white worms, live clams , live mussels, live pods, live brine shrimp and fresh hatched ones too. Then think about where the fish came from and what they might have been fed before you go them. If they are wild caught they prob have not eaten anything. Yes, black out the sides and back. They will feel safer for sure.

Reab · Jan 18, 2019

For a quick test, you can always try a bit of garlic, whenever I have a picky eater it is the first thing I try. If that fails I move on to a brine shrimp culture. I have found the best way to use the garlic is to let the food soak in it, then do a quick rinse. The rinse ensures that only the food itself gives off the garlic, garlic only entices eating and helps the fish to find the food. If you just dump a cloud of garlic in the tank it does nothing to help the fish.