Borbonius anthias not eating HELP!!!!!

[firebirdcrzy]

I got a pair of Barbs in and for the life of me can't get them to eat. I have tryed live brine, live black worms, frozen brine, frozen mysis, frozen blood worms, reef nutrition arcti pods. I orders some garlic supplement but wont be here till tommorrow. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do? I don't want to lose this beautifull pair of fish.

 

[MrTuskfish]

How long have you had them? Its not unusual for new Anthias to not eat for a week or more. I've had Anthias that I haven't even SEEN in a week. BTW, when fish don't eat; IME & IME, changing foods isn't going to do much. However, with Anthias, I've found a pinch of Cyclops-Eeze to really work. there is something in this stuff that gets all fish excited, I believe. I'm not a big believer in garlic as a magical appetite stimulant.IMO, garlic supplements are more for long-term health benefit. IMO.

 

[snorvich]

What he said. Especially about cyclopeeze.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

Thanks, I will try to get some cyclopeeze tomorrow. I have had the fish sence yesterday. The first pair that came in had swimbladder issues and died within 2 days, this is the replacement pair. The female shows better signs of wanting to eat even tho she stays hidden in the rock. How long would you go without a fish eating to really start to worry?

 

[jcw]

This might not be helpful, but I think when you get a new fish, a dark or VERY dimly lit tank for 2 days really helps them get comfortable and more willing to eat when food does come.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Thanks, I will try to get some cyclopeeze tomorrow. I have had the fish sence yesterday. The first pair that came in had swimbladder issues and died within 2 days, this is the replacement pair. The female shows better signs of wanting to eat even tho she stays hidden in the rock. How long would you go without a fish eating to really start to worry?

I'd be more surprised if they WERE eating already, especially Anthias. I wouldn't worry at this point, any fish can go at least 10 days (my guess) without eating with no health problems. I have a lot of Anthias and don't even try feeding them for the first couple of days. Funny, no matter how long you are in this hobby,seeing fish eat for the first time is great. But Anthias waiting a week is not unusual, IMO & IME. I'll bet the Cyclops-Eeze does it though, assuming they are otherwise healthy. Are they in QT? Most fish will eat sooner without the mass feeding activity when a DT is fed.

 

[firebirdcrzy]

I hate to say it, but these are my first fish that did not go into QT. I was assured by the vendor that they have been QT'ed for 5 weeks before shipped. The vendor was going to keep this pair for there personal tank, but after the original pair came in bad they shipped this pair as the replacement. I fell a little bit relieved with the comments on eating behavior. I have a pair of Bartlett's anthias and they were agressive eaters sence day one. I will be heading out tomorrow to try and get some cyclopeeze.

 

[Bret61081]

When I had a store, we used to feed them feeder guppies....they used to go crazy for them! Depending on the size of the fish, you'd be surprised by the size they can get in their mouths...

 

[firebirdcrzy]

I would be worried about feeder guppies bringing diseases into the tank.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I would be worried about feeder guppies bringing diseases into the tank.

FW fish are safe to use in SW, no worry of disease or parasites at all. Most lions, and other live fish eaters, are fed live fw fish as they are being weaned to frozen foods. FW parasites and diseases won't live in SW. A steady diet of FW feeders is a problem, mainly because FW fish (especially goldfish & kin) are so fatty.

 

[LargeAngels]

Did he treat them for flukes?

 

[firebirdcrzy]

Recieved garlic supplement today. Soaked the food with it for 5min and dumped into tank. The Barb went crazy and gave all the other fish a run for there money. Can't say for sure if it was the garlic, but it sure seemed to spark a feeding frenzy.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Recieved garlic supplement today. Soaked the food with it for 5min and dumped into tank. The Barb went crazy and gave all the other fish a run for there money. Can't say for sure if it was the garlic, but it sure seemed to spark a feeding frenzy.

Glad to hear it!