New Anthias not eating

JVH · Sep 4, 2015

My new squamipinni Anthias is in QT now and getting along with her tank mates. When I feed she goes after the food but spits it out! If you didn't watch her closely you would think she is eating but never actually swallows anything! Its like she doesn't like anything I offer. So I just tried spirulina brine and calanus for smaller options. Also tried pellets (tiny) and flake. Same for everything!
My clown, yellow tang and PJ Cardinal all in the same tank with good water and all getting along.
Any thoughts?

diablomaster9045 · Sep 4, 2015

try some live black worms?

ReefMadScientist · Sep 4, 2015

Patience grasshopper.

My new fish never eat on the first day. They eat when they finally get used to the tank which is about a day. I never worry.

reefndude · Sep 4, 2015

Had a trio of carberryi anthias. 2 would eat frozen one would not eat at all. Only thing I did not try was live black worms. The one starved after about 2 months.

JVH · Sep 4, 2015

ReefMadScientist said:
Patience grasshopper.

My new fish never eat on the first day. They eat when they finally get used to the tank which is about a day. I never worry.

Oh patience is a real pain! LOL My clown didn't eat till day 2 but this guy has been putting food in its mouth constantly! Just spitting it back out. That's why 'Im thinking its more than new tank nerves..

JVH · Sep 4, 2015

Had a trio of carberryi anthias. 2 would eat frozen one would not eat at all. Only thing I did not try was live black worms. The one starved after about 2 months.

Wow really? Did your fish take the food but spit it back out? And I assume you get the black worms where ever they sell tigger pods?

reefndude · Sep 4, 2015

The one that starved did just that. Take the food and then spit it back out. Was never able to find black worms locally. You can order live black worms directly from a farm in California

JVH · Sep 4, 2015

reefndude said:
The one that starved did just that. Take the food and then spit it back out. Was never able to find black worms locally. You can order live black worms directly from a farm in California

Oh boy! I hope that's not the case with this one! Maybe ill try some tigger pods also and I look for black worms.

reefndude · Sep 4, 2015

I hope not, it was sad to watch him wither away. Lrs has a new formula for finicky eaters. Has black worms in the mix...might be worth a shot

JOKER · Sep 4, 2015

Try LRS reef or fish frenzy

joshbbert · Sep 4, 2015

Rods food fish eggs, hard to resist ;)

joshbbert · Sep 6, 2015

How goes it? You find something they like yet?

Thle009 · Sep 6, 2015

I had 5 purple queen that hung around looking for food on the 1st day of arrival. Nothing worked, then I turned the powerhead back up (instead of feeding mode,) and added some frozen they went right for the frozen Mysis. Good luck.

davocean · Sep 6, 2015

cyclopseze is another good option, but I agree, give it some time w/ the mysis, it should adapt soon.
Pods are not a bad idea either.
They usually will also adapt to NLS pellets, I do an auto feeder w/ that which really helps w/ the needed multiple daily feedings they require.

JVH · Sep 7, 2015

joshbbert said:
How goes it? You find something they like yet?

Josh thank for checking in! Sorry this is long but...its still a bit strange she is eating some.. I called the store to ask what they were feeding and it was small reef plankton. She actually rejected it! However I have a yellow tank in the same tank so added large plankton and THAT she ate a giant large piece and I thought she was going to die! She swam around with it in her mouth 1/2 hanging out. Breathing heavely I almost went after her to pull it out! Then she settled down in the corner of the tank and was chewing it for about 20 min. I was pretty worried but eventually she was back to her old self.. So Now I have tried just about everything! Seriously, about 7 different kinds of food..Flake, frozen and pellets. I have seen her spit out most of the food but today for the first time she ate small pellets! I saw her actually swallow 4 then spit others out..
However, I know she did eat something so I have hope now!

JVH · Sep 7, 2015

davocean said:
cyclopseze is another good option, but I agree, give it some time w/ the mysis, it should adapt soon.
Pods are not a bad idea either.
They usually will also adapt to NLS pellets, I do an auto feeder w/ that which really helps w/ the needed multiple daily feedings they require.

I just replied to Josh that she did eat pellets..I am going to set up my auto feeder with a mix of different pellets and flake for a few small meals a day. I trued to get cyclopseze but my FS said they don't harvest that anymore. He said its been 3 years! But he has been wrong about a lot of things! Not thrilled with that store but its close! So they told me Calanus is the replacement for cyclopseze and I tried it. VERY pricey! And they all reject it! Well if she eats a few pellets a day it will sustain her till she bigger. Thanks for all the suggestions!.