Black Cap Basslett

[kaiserkid]

I recently picked up a black cap basslett. It seems to be relaxed, breathing normally, not aggressive, but it is not eating much. Actually I haven't seen it eat at all. I have alternated between flake food, brine, and mysis shrimp. Sometimes the shrimp will fall right in front of it's face and it just sits there (usually tucked in a corner...it seems to like tight spaces). I tried spiceing up the food a bit with garlic once too to try to get it to eat and still nothing (all the other fish loved it though).

I thought maybe it just didn't want to eat with the lights on since they are a deeper water fish, so last night I turned the lights off and then added some mysis to the tank near where he was hiding out.

Has anyone else had a difficult time getting black caps to eat? Or do you think he is just shy and just doesn't want to eat in front of me? :thumbdown

 

[Luiz Rocha]

These are relatively deep water fish and may prefer cooler waters to do well, what's your tank temperature? I would maintain it around 76 degrees or cooler to make it more comfortable.

 

[saix88]

Was the fish eating at the store? I quickly bought a royal gramma upon arrival and made that mistake of not checking if he would eat.

 

[kaiserkid]

Yes it was eating at the store. Ill have to check on the temp...I try to keep it at 78.

Louiz I am subscribed to one of your threads. You take the most AMAZING pictures. :thumbsup: What kind of camera do you use? If I had the time and money I would take a class just so I could go on one of your dives. Bravo, and thanks for posting.

 

[Elysia]

It may take your blackcap a week or so to become settled. But eventually, you'll be fondly thinking of the day when your blackcap wasn't gulping down huge amounts of food. Mine, at least, in a hog.

 

[Luiz Rocha]

Yes it was eating at the store. Ill have to check on the temp...I try to keep it at 78.

Louiz I am subscribed to one of your threads. You take the most AMAZING pictures. :thumbsup: What kind of camera do you use? If I had the time and money I would take a class just so I could go on one of your dives. Bravo, and thanks for posting.

It should be ok at 78, but there are some people that keep their tanks at 82+ and I don't think that's a good temp for them. Maybe it is just getting used to the tank, give it a few more days...

About my photos, I use a HUGE camera, a Nikon D2x in a Subal housing, makes for heavy traveling...