Fathead anthias help.

b-o-b-s · Jun 6, 2014

Hello there and thanks for any info and help in advance. I just purchased a trio of fathead anthias and I'm wondering if there is any miracle food that will get them interested in eating. I've tried brine, baby brine, mysis and reef plankton. Also I'm adding a touch of garlic extreme. The fish are in my qt tank and I've yet to see them eat for three days now. I haven't bought live brine yet but that's next unless I can come up with anything else. Ps they all look pretty healthy and normal all odds considering

pgravis · Jun 6, 2014

I've heard good things about something called ova or something like that. Basically small roe I think

Eienna · Jun 7, 2014

Nutramar Ova, yeah. Try that. And leave a powerhead on; my anthias is not interested in frozen food or pellets unless it's being blown around. Provide lots of hiding places.

Aquaph8 · Jun 7, 2014

Try turning off or dimming your lights, they gotta get used to the bright lights.

ReeferBean · Jun 7, 2014

I use ova and cyclops for new finicky fish.

Eienna · Jun 7, 2014

Aquaph8 said:
Try turning off or dimming your lights, they gotta get used to the bright lights.

Yeah, that too.

b-o-b-s · Jun 7, 2014

Awesome I'll search around tomorrow for some

shred5 · Jun 7, 2014

Since anthias are planktivores feeding something similar should work.. My favorite to get finicky fish too eat is frozen cyclop-Eeeze.. if that don't work I use live baby brine shrimp and then start mixing cyclop-eeze in... Never tried the Ova bt hear it works good too...

Like has been mentioned Fatheads don't like bright light and like caves or overhangs...
They don't acclimate well compared to some other deeper water anthias..
I heard a few people with led have a real problem with this fish because they are so directional. ..

Hyperion · Jun 7, 2014

I feed mine Roger's reef foods thats been chopped up into smaller pieces. He goes nuts for it.

TUSI · Jun 7, 2014

b-o-b-s said:
Awesome I'll search around tomorrow for some

I understand tha ova is not available right now

b-o-b-s · Jun 7, 2014

Yea I called around today and couldn't find any. I did luck out tho because they started eating mysis just a little while ago. Fingers crossed.

pgravis · Jun 7, 2014

I've heard you can get sushi roe from some markets that just need a good rinse that work as well. But hopefully it stays eating!

Marquiseo · Jun 7, 2014

Try fish roe with 1 drop of garlic. You can get it at your local asian market but needs to be rinsed. My anthias did love that. I have no longer have the tank though.