Normal behavior?

[pdiehm]

Added a mated pair of Occy clowns to my 120, which is cycled. The clowns look healthy, they at well during QT, albeit they were really skittish.

They appear to like to hang out behind the rocks, out of sight. They like to swim against the gyre current. Everything appears to be normal.

But when I shut the pumps off to feed, they really don't eat. They wait for the gyre to kick on, and the food goes lower in the water column. They really don't go up to the surface to get the food.

That's the part that I'm not sure is normal. They've been in the tank for about 9 days.

 

[143MPCo]

Somewhat normal...
...what type of food are you feeding them??

 

[143MPCo]

I'd try leaving the pump on, soak the food in a bit of tank water and drop it in; the food in my systems are eaten so quickly I almost never turn the powerheads off anymore.

Soaking the food will allow it to sink and entice them to go after it a bit more, also try giving them meaty foods and live brine shrimp might help.

 

[pdiehm]

Alternating between mini-sinking pellets, Reef Flakes, and Brine Shrimp that I take a little bit out of the cube, and stir up in a cup with some tank water, and pour into the tank.

They eat, not a lot, and certainly not in any hurry. Basically continuing activity from what they were doing during QT. They came from a not so great home, where they weren't very well taken care of.

 

[pdiehm]

But they are the only 2 fish in the 120. It's a very big tank for 2 little fish :) I'm hoping that when I get other fish in there, they'll see them eating, and will join in the party...almost as if to say, if it's safe enough for them, it's safe enough for us.

 

[pdiehm]

Omega One Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp
Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flake Food
Omega One Micro Pellets with Garlic.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Once I introduce new fish to the tank, it takes them a bit of time to warm to the surroundings and feel comfortable enough to eat. Now all my fish come right up to my hand when I feed. In fact, they are so impatient at times, they will bite at my fingers as I break up the food.

It takes them time to feel secure. Especially in the big tank. Give it time.

 

[pdiehm]

should I offer food every other day then? or keep trying to feed every day (a little bit)? The last thing I want is to add unwanted nutrients to the system.

 

[143MPCo]

should I offer food every other day then? or keep trying to feed every day (a little bit)? The last thing I want is to add unwanted nutrients to the system.

I think you're better off sticking to your normal routine this way the other fish in the tank don't have any problems, if you start trying to feed less you're more likely to upset the normal balance that you've already created with that inhabitants.

 

[pdiehm]

There is no other fish in there yet. This pair of clowns was my first additions post cycle

 

[143MPCo]

There is no other fish in there yet. This pair of clowns was my first additions post cycle

While you can try to feed less I would just stick with what you would normally do for a feeding routine.

 

[JSeward]

If they don't eat when the pump is off...don't turn the pump off. I'd also suggest using better food, like a good quality frozen blend. Brine has no nutritional benefit and I can't imagine they'd be interested in anything freeze dried. My clowns prefer a larger 1mm pellet over a .5mm, like your micro pellets. Also, feeding more (within reason) to get new fish to eat beats an extra ppm of nitrate any day in my book.

 

[pdiehm]

ok, feeding a little bit every day. I've actually cut back to every other day on the biocube, and the fish don't seem any worse for the wear. The 2 clowns in the cube, are the exact opposite of the 2 clowns in the 120. the cube clowns aren't shy at all. really interesting personalities.

 

[pdiehm]

If they don't eat when the pump is off...don't turn the pump off. I'd also suggest using better food, like a good quality frozen blend. Brine has no nutritional benefit and I can't imagine they'd be interested in anything freeze dried. My clowns prefer a larger 1mm pellet over a .5mm, like your micro pellets. Also, feeding more (within reason) to get new fish to eat beats an extra ppm of nitrate any day in my book.

I'll probably get a larger pellet.

Any recommendations on frozen? How do you feed frozen food?

 

[143MPCo]

Live brine shrimp are recommended for the sole purpose of enticing the fish's normal behavior to strike and the only reason I recommended it; it has nothing to do with its nutritional value but more or less it's attack or Hunter instinct to go after the pray.

 

[abecker]

I use the LRS Fish Frenzy and I think my clowns recognize the cup I use to pour it in because they almost jump out of the water when I go to pour it in the tank.

 

[JSeward]

I'll probably get a larger pellet.

Any recommendations on frozen? How do you feed frozen food?

Any of LRS Frenzy foods would be my top choice. Rod's is alright too I guess. PE Mysis if you can't find the seafood blends.

Also, marine fish don't usually take food off of the waters surface. They more readily eat it in the water column.

 

[143MPCo]

This pair of clowns was my first additions post cycle

LRS and Rod's a great options and are fortified with amino, vitamins and probiotics, if you go that route on a recently cycled tank go easy on the amount especially if the only two fish you have aren't eating.

 

[DeniseAndy]

I used many of the foods mentioned and I try to feed a bit of everything. However, I ventured into my own food this year and my fish love it. I still use some Cobalt dry flakes too. LRS and Rods are good foods. If you feed flakes, just put it into the water so they sink and get caught in current, don't throw on top.

I agree to just feed as you think you will normally. They will get there.