Tips on getting an Achilles to eat live macro algae?

[montipora]

Ok so I have an Achilles that is about 3inches and eats everythig from frozen foods, nori, flakes, pellets, brine shrimp and live mysis. For some reason I can not get him to eat any live macro. He is doing great but I try not to feed him the same things and want more variety for to choose from. Is there any tricks that may get him to start taking macro? I tried clips, free floating and wrapping it around a rock but nothing! I really can't complain as he is really a pig and taking well to the tank, there is only a few little gobies and a anthias in my 120 with him and I do't plan on adding any other fish so there is no competition for food. If anyone has any tricks that may help that would be great!!!!!

Thanks, Pete

 

[jaytizzle]

You have tried the tricks that I know. The only other thing I can say is to add a fish that does eat live macro and maybe he will learn by example. You said you aren't adding any other fish so that may not be an option.

 

[montipora]

Ya I was thinking of that but I don't want to add to muchto the bioload because of the feedings I do for him, plus he is a bully when it comes to any other big fish!!! Perhaps I just need to keep at it and one day he may get a taste for live macro!

 

[Aquascaper]

Q. what genus of live macro are you attempting to feed?

an Aquascaper Tip: fish in general - and especially Tangs are often collected at depths that exceed the range of penetration of red light in a water column- Sooooooo- adding a food source and targeting it with a red laser will often cause a reaction of aggression in fish that results in their attacking the "red dot"..... When the "red dot" is on piece of food... it is likely that the fish will often ingest the food thus beginning their acclimation to various foods offered.

This is a trick I often employ to end a "hunger strike" with a new fish or a sick one...

Be sure to Lower the ambient light in the room if possible, and reduce all other distractions possible Prior to introducing the laser dot.

Please Note: This is not a technique to amuse friends, the cat, myself....I mean yourself- according to the Law of Diminishing Returns - if we use this in non-emergency times- the affect will be a lessened response when needed.

 

[inactive]

Aquascaper, that is amazing and so true.

 

[Aquascaper]

Thanks Kraylen- my reefing techniques are often way outside the box (even considered close to crazy)
yet rest assured there is meaning to my madness:

observation + research + action= innovation

 

[inactive]

You and I are on the same page :)

 

[rng_pw]

It sounds like your one of the lucky ones to me. To be able to get an achillies to eat like a pig is hard to do. I count my self lucky also. I have had one in my tank for the last year and a half and he is the same way, he eats everything in front of him. Some tricks that I have tried with other fish though is dipping there food in garlic and also blending it in with all of his other food. Good luck.

Ricky,