View Full Version : Fish not eating
In my 55 gallon tank, my severum and firemouth are not eating. Recently I went through a bout of what appeared to be Columnaria. I've medicated for the columnaria as well I've done several large water changes. The only thing that my fish have a remote interest is bloodworms. How can I get these guys back on pellets and normal stuff?! Or just to eat with regular enthusiasm!?
Thanks TONS guys
Logybishes
wataugachicken
07-12-2008, 10:13 PM
A few questions:
Which fish were sick/showing symptoms?
What did you use to treat the columnaria?
Did you remove carbon from the filter(s) if indicated?
If so, what other biological media is in the filters?
Water parameters - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate?
Before treatment, how often did you do water changes/how large?
Agent_Scully
07-12-2008, 10:43 PM
A suggestion: I've never tried this before but I have heard numerous times that soaking pellets in garlic will help. Garlic is supposedly a natural attractant for fish. Can't hurt to try can it?
nano cichlids
07-12-2008, 11:08 PM
A suggestion: I've never tried this before but I have heard numerous times that soaking pellets in garlic will help. Garlic is supposedly a natural attractant for fish. Can't hurt to try can it?
this always works if one my fish isn't eatting. I suggest you try it
A few questions:
Which fish were sick/showing symptoms?
What did you use to treat the columnaria?
Did you remove carbon from the filter(s) if indicated?
If so, what other biological media is in the filters?
Water parameters - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate?
Before treatment, how often did you do water changes/how large?
My green severum and Rainbow shark were showing symptoms of columnaria. My rainbow has since passed. I treated with Maracyn-Two. The white growth on my severum shrunk.....but now it's a dot...but it remains and I've finished the medication. Before I added the meds I did a 50% water change and I had no carbon in my filter. After the treatment I did another 50% water change. The firemouth doesn't appear to be sick...but ignores pellets...and it's been eating pellets since it was a juvi. Water conditions I'll get for you shortly. They should be good. I did a 25% change this morning too (with gravel vac).
I'll try the garlic thing too if that's said to work. Anything to get my bad boys eating again.
Thanks
Logy
nano cichlids
07-13-2008, 12:03 AM
sorry to hear about the loss...
Rbishop
07-13-2008, 7:12 AM
How often have you been feeding bloodworms? Live? They could be spoiled on the live food. Sooner or later, if fed just pellets, they will eat.
nano cichlids
07-13-2008, 10:47 AM
How often have you been feeding bloodworms? Live? They could be spoiled on the live food. Sooner or later, if fed just pellets, they will eat.
never thought of that.... i know my cichlids prefer pellets over flakes but never thought about the bloodworm's being alive
msjinkzd
07-13-2008, 12:26 PM
i think Rb was asking if they are live or frozen bloodworms.
I use garlic all the time to get picky fish to eat. I dice a clove and smash it with the back of a spoon, then add it to food and let it sit for a few minutes to absorb. It can cause the food to sink quickly, but the fish usually seek it out. You can also use jarred garlic and use the "juice". Garlic is also available in liquid form at the LFS, but its very expensive.
MiramichiMob
07-13-2008, 1:43 PM
I have a JD that is not eating,,he is in QT right now as I think he had a mild case of,,well something white and cottony on his side,,I used melafix and it is now gone but he is still not eating. I usually feed him ciclid flakes,,pellets and krill. He loves krill but will not even look at anything now. Could i take a piece of krill and rub it with garlic,,would this be enough to get the good effects of garlic on the krill?
nano cichlids
07-13-2008, 2:18 PM
I have a JD that is not eating,,he is in QT right now as I think he had a mild case of,,well something white and cottony on his side,,I used melafix and it is now gone but he is still not eating. I usually feed him ciclid flakes,,pellets and krill. He loves krill but will not even look at anything now. Could i take a piece of krill and rub it with garlic,,would this be enough to get the good effects of garlic on the krill?
yes it should be enough but when cichlids are stressed they choose not to eat they will eventually as a natural instinct kicks in
I usually feed frozen bloodworms once or twice a week. I'm going to try the garlic thing to see if that sparks thier interests. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm going to continue to feed them lightly daily and see if thier appetites pick up.
I hope the small white dot on the sev disappears. She's always hiding in her cave lately.
Thanks for the advice everyone
I'll keep you guys posted.
Thanks
Logybishes