Bangaii cardinals struggling

[t1a1c1h]

Recently bought 3 juvenile bangaii cardinals from the lfs, the guy there assured us they were tank bred not wild caught. Since getting them home they're not eating. Theure in the quarantine tank at reduced salinity and spend the majority of their time floating near or on the bottom. We've tried flakes, pellets and frozen 'marine mix' and it just gets spat out then ignored. Any suggestions on what might get them eating/ what they prefer/ why they're not taking what we're giving (when we read they will eat most foods Inc flakes and pellets before getting them). Thanks

 

[jmareef1022]

Try mysis...they rarely eat pellets or flakes...I had one and all he would is mysis shrimp..

 

[Dkuhlmann]

When you say reduced salinity what exactly are you talking about? Just how low is the SG? How are you measuring it?

 

[DamonG]

Try live brine also.. They go nuts over live stuff. And if they were tank bred, more than likely that is what they were reared on. And they are probably just being choosy..

 

[t1a1c1h]

Salinity is 1.015 measured with a refractometer. We've used this quarantine process on all our fish so far as a way of reducing parasites etc brought into the main tank without adding chemicals either, to good effect (as far as we can tell). Live brine it is!

 

[Dkuhlmann]

You do know that for hypo you need to run your tank at 1.009

 

[ThRoewer]

In my experience Banggai cardinals are among the greediest eaters around. Whenever I put food into my tank they shoot out of their cover and gulp up as much as they can. And most of mine are wild.

 

[snorvich]

Salinity is 1.015 measured with a refractometer. We've used this quarantine process on all our fish so far as a way of reducing parasites etc brought into the main tank without adding chemicals either, to good effect (as far as we can tell). Live brine it is!

Sorry, but 1.015 has no effect on parasites. As for feeding, PE mysis should work well. Brine shrimp is not adequate nutritionally.

 

[DamonG]

Sorry, but 1.015 has no effect on parasites. As for feeding, PE mysis should work well. Brine shrimp is not adequate nutritionally.

They ate until they have been weened off of them.. And if you either selcon or yeast enrich them, they do fine. In the long run though, yes, you will be able to transition to other foods..

But when they are rejecting other foods, it's either inadequate temporary nutrition, or starving them, which is absolutely no nutrition...

 

[ThRoewer]

Add another fish that eats everything. That often gets picky eaters going.

BTW, what were they eating at the store?

 

[3dees]

my 2 1/2 year old Banggai will not touch flake or pellets. eats frozen brine and Mysis, but it really pigs out on freeze dried blackworms. I agree that 1.015 isn't doing any good.