Lawnmower in QT

[DWPhilli]

Hi All,

I currently have a Lawnmower Blenny + two Clownfish in QT (10 Gallon) for a few days now.

The clownfish are eating like crazy and generally all over the place, but the blenny looks scared to death and barely moves, and has not eaten even though food went right by him.

I am feeding Rod's Original, which he was eating at the LFS. Should I add some seaweed sheets, or give him more time?

Also, I have not medicated anything, just adding Seed for bacteria every day and keeping a close eye on Ammonia.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Do you have any hiding places in the tank for him or is it just a bare bottom tank? Also, some sheet nori might entice him to eat.

 

[Cell]

My lawnmower blenny wasnt eating in QT either. I tried nori, which he ate a bit of one time then wouldn't touch again. The fix: Hikari Seaweed Extreme. Its crack for blennies.

 

[DWPhilli]

Thanks for the reply!

Petco has them in stock right by work, but they are "Floating Pellets"..... is that ok, or do I need the kind that sink?

 

[Cell]

I think they make a sinking pellet as well, which is what you will want. I bought mine on Amazon. 3.5oz pack for $9.

 

[DWPhilli]

Do you have any hiding places in the tank for him or is it just a bare bottom tank? Also, some sheet nori might entice him to eat.

I had a 3 PVC pieces in there from 1-2" diameter. I added another larger one tonight, so now 4 pieces.

I tried the Seaweed extreme, but still didnt look like he ate anything. He is looking a bit livlier though and starting to perch around on the PVC & corners of the tank.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

I had a 3 PVC pieces in there from 1-2" diameter. I added another larger one tonight, so now 4 pieces.

I tried the Seaweed extreme, but still didnt look like he ate anything. He is looking a bit livlier though and starting to perch around on the PVC & corners of the tank.

You could also try these. They sink and my algae blennies always loved them.
https://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Nutrition-Formula-Small-Pellet/dp/B0012Q133Y

 

[DWPhilli]

So day 6 and my LMB still has not ate as far as I can tell. He has definitely slimmed down, and in general seems to have zero interest in food.

I have tried Rod's frozen food, Extreme seaweed pellets, algea sheets - all with and without fresh garlic juice soaked.

Tank is showing 0.0 for ammonia on the alert badge and RS test. Daily I add a little Aquavitro Seed for bacteria.
The two clownfish in QT are doing great, in fact I have to overfeed just to make sure there is some left for the blenny. From what I can see, they do not bother the blenny at all, but should I put egg crate between them?

Any thoughts on what else I can try?

 

[Cell]

Tough situation. I cant believe he didn't like the Seaweed Extreme. I have a starry and horned blenny in QT right now and they both love it like my LMB did. I'm out of ideas. Are you sure its healthy?

 

[DWPhilli]

I am not sure that he is healthy, but there are no visible signs of any issue. He doesn't seem to be breathing hard.

I was waiting to get him eating before running General Cure. Should I go ahead and put the first dose in?

 

[DH78]

This has worked for me to get herbivores, including a lawnmower to eat in QT.

Place a wet sheet of nori on a piece of pvc and let it dry completely in the sun. Once dry and adhered to the pvc, drop it in the tank. This encourages them to pick at it like they would off of rocks/substrate.

 

[DWPhilli]

This has worked for me to get herbivores, including a lawnmower to eat in QT.

Place a wet sheet of nori on a piece of pvc and let it dry completely in the sun. Once dry and adhered to the pvc, drop it in the tank. This encourages them to pick at it like they would off of rocks/substrate.

OK, I will try that tonight.

 

[AngryMike2016]

This has worked for me to get herbivores, including a lawnmower to eat in QT.

Place a wet sheet of nori on a piece of pvc and let it dry completely in the sun. Once dry and adhered to the pvc, drop it in the tank. This encourages them to pick at it like they would off of rocks/substrate.

Thank you for the knowledge share. This is good to know for the future.

 

[DH78]

How is your Lawnmower doing? Any luck getting him to eat?

 

[DWPhilli]

Well I have not seen him eat yet, so I am not sure.

I went ahead and did medicate with General Cure, and he actually perked up quite a bit. He was perching on the PVC and what not, but a few days later he is still looking very thin.

Thanks to everyone for the advice so far, and I will keep you updated.

 

[DWPhilli]

He started eating!!!

My wife suggested making a spirulina paste and shooting from a syringe in front of him, and it worked.

I had also blocked him off with egg crate from the clownfish. After he ate the spirulina, I took that out and he went around and ate all the leftover seaweed pellets. Now he is eating the nori as well.

He is still pretty skinny, but I am hoping we can fatten him up.

So happy, and thanks for everyones suggestions.

 

[Dapperjman]

He started eating!!!

My wife suggested making a spirulina paste and shooting from a syringe in front of him, and it worked.

I had also blocked him off with egg crate from the clownfish. After he ate the spirulina, I took that out and he went around and ate all the leftover seaweed pellets. Now he is eating the nori as well.

He is still pretty skinny, but I am hoping we can fatten him up.

So happy, and thanks for everyones suggestions.

Nice job! I just lost a lawnmower blenny in QT from starvation...tried all the foods like you did with no luck. I did move a shell with film algae from my display and it looked like he may have worked on it some but I could have imagined it. Didnt know these guys could be so picky!

 

[DWPhilli]

Update: The LMB "Melvin" is doing great!!! He is eating like a champ, and so getting some weight back. I had given up hope as I found him last week laying on his side over the PVC, and though he was a goner, but now he is all over the place.

On the bad news, one of the other QT tank roommates (a small clown) has a bit of a mucus / something on him. He had some since day 1, but now has a spot over his eye. I started another thread on that topic, but hopefully it is not something too bad.

 

[AngryMike2016]

I am so happy for you that your LMB is eating now! My LMB, Handsome Jack, is just about my favorite fish in my 90 gallon.

 

[BeejReef]

My lawnmower blenny wasnt eating in QT either. I tried nori, which he ate a bit of one time then wouldn't touch again. The fix: Hikari Seaweed Extreme. Its crack for blennies.

My LMB loves that hikari seafood extreme as well. Trick is getting him to try it once, then he'll be back for more. ;Smug