Encouraging an Atlantic Butterfly to eat

smartwater101 · Sep 10, 2018

I've had a few of these over the years and they've always been very easy to feed. I'd usually start with live bloodworms and eventually mix with frozen mysis and other meaty items and within a week or two they'd take anything.

The one I have in quarantine doesn't want to eat. He seems interested in tigger pods and mollusc shells but doesn't actually eat. Live bloodworms and brine are of no interest. Same with clam.

He seemed very skinny when I got him on Thursday (live aquaria) and it's only Monday. Perhaps he just needs more time to adjust? I've never had to wait more than a few hours for these these guys to perk up so it's throwing me off.

Are there live saltwater worms I can get to encourage him to eat? Any other thoughts?

Thanks

suta42 · Sep 10, 2018

I don’t necessarily think quarantine is the problem....If he isn’t interested in live blackworms could it have a gill infestation???
Just that, IME, all the long nosed butterflys usually love them including this species. But if they’re unwell they can go off their food very easily.

Hth

smartwater101 · Sep 10, 2018

suta42 said:
may have a gill infestation???

Luckily I put him quarantine so I can treat for anything. Only used prazipro so far. I'll look into fluke treatments.

suta42 · Sep 10, 2018

I’ve had mixed results with Prazipro affecting appetite, especially at full dose on the first day or two. But you said your fish is skinny, so this may not be the problem here???

At any rate, good luck with him - they’re such a nice fish.

Gareth elliott · Sep 10, 2018

Can try some enriched live brine shrimp. Whatever live foods your lfs has on hand i would give a try.

Frozen foods give a try with san fran angel and butterfly diet.

smartwater101 · Sep 11, 2018

Unfortunately he still looks the same. No interest in any food.

Live Aquaria doesn't have these in stock very often so I'm pretty disappointed. Especially considering I've had such luck with these guys in the past. I'll keep trying various foods. Hopefully he pulls through. :/