Advice getting boxfish to eat consistently

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cdw79

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I purchased a (very small) boxfish about a week and a half ago. I have had two specimens before, each about 3 and a half inches long. Both have eaten like absolute pigs. This one did the same at my LFS, but has been less eager to do so. I will put some brine into its QT tank (it won't touch anything else), and usually it'll take maybe 2-3 pieces out of the water column from the maybe 20-30 I'll offer. It will take close looks, but almost always turn away bar a few chunks it will nibble at. I've caught it pecking at pieces on the ground 10-15 minutes later, but it's hard to know if it's getting enough to eat.

In any case, it won't be able to do so in my display, which has lots of aggressive feeders in it. Never run into this specific scenario before, and have tried a variety of foods with no change in the overall behavior. My thought was maybe to try live mysis to "teach" it to eat out of the water column, but can;t find any locally. Anyone have any advice?
 

HOW MUCH DOES A FISH’S FEEDING REQUIREMENTS AFFECT YOUR STOCKING DECISIONS?

  • A lot! - I avoid fish that require frequent or specialized feeding

    Votes: 7 24.1%
  • Quite a bit, but an automatic feeder can change my answer

    Votes: 5 17.2%
  • It depends on whether my nutrient export can handle it

    Votes: 5 17.2%
  • It depends on how badly I want the fish

    Votes: 9 31.0%
  • Not much. I’m willing to adjust my routine

    Votes: 7 24.1%
  • Not at all. Feeding demands don’t limit my stocking choices

    Votes: 5 17.2%
  • I usually learn about the demanding feeding schedule after buying the fish!

    Votes: 2 6.9%
  • I haven’t really considered this before

    Votes: 3 10.3%
  • Something else (see my comments in the thread)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

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