How to get my clownfish eating

[Sharkbait19]

Hi,
A while back, my clowns got brook/velvet and I had to QT and medicate them for several weeks. In the two months they were out of the DT, they’ve grown accustomed to the quarantine life. In fact, they’ve spent more time in QT than in the actual main display. Yesterday, they moved back into their home.

A problem I am facing is getting the clowns to eat. In the QT tank, they didn’t have to catch the pellets—the bottom was bare, and they’d simply clean it up and become full. Unfortunately, since there are dozens of crustaceans scavenging the sandbed, the clowns have lost the ability to leisurely get the food at their own discretion. Thus, they pay little to no attention to the pellets, and frequently catch them then spit them towards the ground for later consumption. Will they adapt to their new environment soon? How can I encourage them to be more aggressive eaters??

 

[stylolvr]

You could try soaking the pellets in garlic or shifting to a frozen blend that smells a bit more temporarily. It may just take a few days for them to settle back in.

 

[WallyB]

Hi,
A while back, my clowns got brook/velvet and I had to QT and medicate them for several weeks. In the two months they were out of the DT, they’ve grown accustomed to the quarantine life. In fact, they’ve spent more time in QT than in the actual main display. Yesterday, they moved back into their home.

A problem I am facing is getting the clowns to eat. In the QT tank, they didn’t have to catch the pellets—the bottom was bare, and they’d simply clean it up and become full. Unfortunately, since there are dozens of crustaceans scavenging the sandbed, the clowns have lost the ability to leisurely get the food at their own discretion. Thus, they pay little to no attention to the pellets, and frequently catch them then spit them towards the ground for later consumption. Will they adapt to their new environment soon? How can I encourage them to be more aggressive eaters??

We at least you have clowns that eat pellets. Good thing.
All fish will eat more aggressively as they get more hungry.
Key is they like the food. Any food.
Just be patient.

 

[Jekyl]

Get better food. Buy some frozen Rods or LRS and mysis. They will eat it up.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Of course, I do also have to put into account that there are pods and mysis in the tank, though I have never really seen them peck at anything...

I’ll give them time to adjust and see from there how things go.

 

[Jekyl]

Mysis aren't something in tanks. They're a frozen food that comes in cubes usually. Also clowns don't really eat copepods.

 

[Jekyl]

I have pellets also that I may feed once a week. Best best for your friends is to get them some real frozen food. Mine will eat the pellets if nothing else is available.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Mysis aren't something in tanks. They're a frozen food that comes in cubes usually. Also clowns don't really eat copepods.

Mysis is a type of shrimp. You can buy it frozen, but they’re also a living part of reefs.

 

[czoolander]

Mysis shrimp and your wavemaker left on . turn your return pump off so all the shrimp just float and blow around in the display. If that does not work then you might be SOL . but Mysis shrimp will work IMO

 

[terraincognita]

I know it may sound "harsh"

But "starve" them for 2-3 days, then feed. They'll go for them.

I use these when I feed pellets

Amazon product ASIN B077NH23T9
My clowns love them.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I have pellets also that I may feed once a week. Best best for your friends is to get them some real frozen food. Mine will eat the pellets if nothing else is available.

I have the frozen food but I remember the one time I fed it the params went a little whacky. I can try again though...

 

[Sharkbait19]

I know it may sound "harsh"

But "starve" them for 2-3 days, then feed. They'll go for them.

I use these when I feed pellets

Amazon product ASIN B077NH23T9
My clowns love them.

Cool! I use the omega one garlic enriched. Nothing really special about them but my fish seem to enjoy them.

 

[terraincognita]

I have the frozen food but I remember the one time I fed it the params went a little whacky. I can try again though...

Feed frozen with caution, if you're just starting now. Do it very small feedings, tiny.

I only use certain brands now due to a lot of them spiking nitrates and pho with they yucky murky fluid they soak them in.

Or pre-wash them in RODI.

Don't do sudden changes. I know you had the velvet disaster, nows not the time to crash your DT with nutrients :D

 

[Jekyl]

I know it may sound "harsh"

But "starve" them for 2-3 days, then feed. They'll go for them.

I use these when I feed pellets

Amazon product ASIN B077NH23T9
My clowns love them.

Because you starved them first.

 

[terraincognita]

Because you starved them first.

Lol those pellets are not all that bad, all of my fish eat them. even the non starved ones :P

 

[Uncle99]

Normal on any transfer.
Be patient.

 

[Jekyl]

Lol those pellets are not all that bad, all of my fish eat them. even the non starved ones :p

Mine do also. However the feeding is nothing compared to some of the Rods food. Especially the fish eggs. It's like piranhas

 

[terraincognita]

Mine do also. However the feeding is nothing compared to some of the Rods food. Especially the fish eggs. It's like piranhas

Yar, I use Rods x1-x2 daily.

I've been actually doing a thing recently where I make 2-3 days worth of it and soak it in RODI with some AB+ and Phyto.

Idk if that give any real benefits to my fish... but they love it LOL.

 

[Jekyl]

I feed a variety of frozen foods with pellets every now and then. No sump with a skimmer and my nutrients are pretty stable. If trying to get picky fish to eat I'd just assume go with high quality vs processed.

 

[WallyB]

Mysis is a type of shrimp. You can buy it frozen, but they’re also a living part of reefs.

This is what we mean for Frozen Mysis. This is my #1 favorite frozen food.

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bio-pure-frozen-mysis-shrimp-hikari.html

Better than Frozen Brine Shrimp. The only Frozen Brine Shrimp I like is the Spirulina gut loaded version.
https://www.hikariusa.com/frozen_folder/spirulina_brine_shrimp.html

This Angel Food is even more meatier. (3rd Favourite, but quickly becoming my 2nd favourite)

https://www.aquariumdepot.ca/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-mega-marine-angel-cube-pack-3-5oz.html

I personally don't like the LRS brand (Reef Frenzy).
http://www.larrysreefservices.com/
Too many BIG Pieces that don't get eaten and polute my tank.
Sure it may work if you have larger more demanding fish.

The best middle ground sized Mysis is this one Canadian Mysis (2nd Favourite)

http://www.hikariusa.com/wp/diets/canadian-mysis-shrimp/

Not for tiny fish, but medium sized fish love it. Very Nutritious