Jack Dempsey not eating...

M

MeAirlinePilot

AC Members
Jul 29, 2001
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Moreno Valley, CA
A friend bought a Jack Dempsey a long time ago when it was only a few inches long. Now it is approximately 8" long and it looks very sick. It is in a 60G aquarium and won't eat anything. It is VERY skinny like it hasn't eaten in months. She has tried flakes, pellets, etc...I recommended that she threw in a worm and he wouldn't even eat that. Any ideas for help would greatly be appreciated. He is active and swims around but he just won't eat. Thanks a lot.
~Bryson
 
Did you try live fish? I had one that wouldn't eat and after a week I put in six minnows. They were in there for two days and I started to get nervous. Then one morning I turned on the light and they were all gone.
 
JD's are really funny fish.

Some are very pugnatious and some very docile and timid.

I would recommend having your friend feed the fish as she is turning the lights off for the night.

The JD's I have had/have always seem more active at night time.

I doubt that the fish is not eating for that amount of time. It is probably eating but only what it can dig up at night.

Have the friend give it a try. She will probably notice a visible difference in a few days.

What is in the tank with the JD? She also might try throwing 3 or 4 dithers in the tank. It just might spark the fish up again.
 
Havj't tried live fish...I didn't want her to risk putting a disease in the aquarium...The other fish in the aquarium are a 5" BP and three 5" oscars. All this in a 60G. Pretty sad, huh? I just found out she only changes the water once per year so I know know what the problem is. The poor fish are rotting themselves away in their own nitrates...Thanks for all the help guys. This one seems like a lost cause. The worker at PetsMart told her 5 oscars is good for a 60G so she thinks he is God and won't listen to anyone else but the PetsMart employee. It's pittful.
~Bryson
 
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