Rainbow Threadfin doesn't seem to be eating

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JotaDe

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Apr 14, 2003
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At least he's not eating the food I put in the tank: New Life Spectrum small fish forumla or TetraMin tropical flakes.

How finicky of eaters are these fish? Has been in my tank for about 6 days and I've yet to see him grab food that I drop into the tank.

I've read that they pick at plants and algae, maybe that's why he's still alive?

Tank parameters are zero regarding amonia, etc.
 
Most fish can go a week w/o any problem.

Make sure the food is finely ground as they have small mouths.

Observe it at length. Does it pick through the substrate after the food falls? If so, you'll probably have to feed smaller portions more frequently especially if the substrate is coarse. It may just be very shy. When you observe it after feeding, do so at a bit of a distance and hold still.
 
There is only 1 threadfin in there right now.
I have not seen it move at all when food is dropped into the tank.
This is an office tank so I haven't been able to sit and watch it for long periods to see if it nibble on something.
The pellets are super small, so they'll fit in his mouth but when they hit the gravel the shrimps usually gobble them up.

He is looking relatively healthy, fins flaring, staying up in top 1/4 of tank. I'll just keep lightly feeding the tank and keep an eye on him.

Was hoping to get some advice from someone who has a threadfin...

Thanks for the replies.
 
JotaDe said:
The pellets are super small, so they'll fit in his mouth but when they hit the gravel the shrimps usually gobble them up.

He is looking relatively healthy, fins flaring, staying up in top 1/4 of tank. I'll just keep lightly feeding the tank and keep an eye on him.

Was hoping to get some advice from someone who has a threadfin...
Click to expand...

I've had threadfins in the past. I agree with the post about grinding up the flakes.

These fish should be very active. Although I never kept only one, mine were always zipping around the tank. How is yours acting, aside from the "flaring?"
 
keep in mind that threadfins have very, very small mouths for their size. even what a neons will fit in its mouth will not fit in a threadfin's. if he is still not eating the crushed flake food, try some brine shrimp. it may also help to get him a buddy of two until you can get a large enough tank for a nice big school of them.
 
He moves sometimes, and sometimes just chills. If I get close to the tank of course he'll dart around more. But his breathing is normal, he doesn't look excessively thin - like a starved or thin fish.

I will try grinding up the flake food.

I do plan on adding one more rainbow to my tank. Started with one since I'd recently cycled and I wanted to make sure he could make it. I don't plan on a larger tank anytime soon, as this is an office tank, so I assume 2 rainbows would be the limit for this tank.

Changed the water today, and I saw him grabbing at tiny particulates in the water column that were stirred up, plus he pooped. These seem like good signs, I'd just like him to take a bite when I put his food in :D

Thanks for the replies guys.
 
He ate a pellet today, and he's looking healthy so I know he's getting his bites in when I'm not looking. Gonna add a buddy for him next week.
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