Best food for a picky eater? (Squarespot Anthias)

[jefathome]

I purchased a LARGE alpha male Squarespot anthias about a month ago. He was eating PE Mysis within about 2-3 days. Continued to eat them up until about a week ago. He seems to be VERY hungry because when I feed he will rush up and grab one, but now he spits it out, then tries it again, spits it out... about 3-4 times. Then he just gives up!!


Keep in mind that this guy is at least 5-6in long with a HUGE mouth, so he really ony seems to go for larger food items. Things like Cyclopeze are way too small for him, as is brine most likely.

Is there any food out there that meets the size requirements that fish just can't resist?

I tried some large frozen krill the other day and same thing... he tried it and spit it out.

 

[HomeSlizzice]

I'd try a whole bunch of different foods, anything you can think of. Also try soaking the PE Mysis in Garlic and/or selcon. And I'm a big fan of NLS pellets (especially "Thera A"), although I've never had a Squarespot Anthias, but its worth a try.

 

[jefathome]

Good suggestion. thanks.

Hey, are you a mtnbiker? There is a HomeSlice on one of my mountainbike foums from SoCal as well.

 

[jefathome]

I was actually going to stop off at the Japanese market near work to see if I can get some salmon eggs. I know that they make great "bait".

 

[HomeSlizzice]

Good suggestion. thanks.

Hey, are you a mtnbiker? There is a HomeSlice on one of my mountainbike foums from SoCal as well.

Nope not me, I always use HomeSlizzice not HomeSlice (I gotta include the Z's haha :lol: )

And you welcome

 

[zgalinec]

tiny white spots - Square Spot Anthias

tiny white spots - Square Spot Anthias

Hello all!

I'm very new (3 weeks) to the whole marine aquarium world, I bought a Square Spot Anthias and can't seem to get the bugger to eat. I've tried Mysis shrimp, Zooplankton and brine shrimp, but no luck, swims up to it by doesn't eat...

The tomato clam and yellow tang are in heaven as they eat like pigs.

Today I've noticed tiny little white specks all over his body, does anyone know what this is? Any ideas on what to do to get him to eat?

Thanks

Zee

 

[sedor]

Zee that is ich.

Soak your food in garlic. You can buy garlic extreme from the LFS, or I get minced garlic from the grocery and pour out most of the juice then refill with RO water. If this doesn't get a fish to eat there is something wrong with it. The fact that your anthias is attempting to eat makes me wonder if some sort of parasite isn't bothering him.

 

[zgalinec]

ich? sounds icky... how do I get rid of it? I'm using frozen cubes, do I dissolve them into the garlic with RO then refreeze or simply soak and put into tank?

Zee

 

[haitwun]

common cures for ich include copper, formalin and freshwater dips

do you have a quarantine tank?

Formalin and copper should only be used in a quarantine tank away from any invertebrates.

Try a freshwater dip first. Get a bowl of warm freshwater, add baking soda or water buffering agent to increase the pH to the same as your display tank. Let the fish swim in there for about 5 minutes. remove the fish immediately if it seems overly stressed.

You will want to keep the fish away from the display tank for a solid month to ensure any tophonts did not survive.

For further reading:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-08/sp/index.php