Clowns too chicken to eat

[firebirdude]

So I've had a pair of Onyx clowns for about 6-7 months now. No other fish in the tank. In the beginning, like most fish, when I come near the tank they both beg for food. When I drop food in, they're both practically jumping out of the water to get at it.

Well I went on vacation for a little while and set up a timed flake feeder. When I returned, the fish were still alive and most of the flakes were gone, so apparently it worked out. Well now both my clowns are complete chickens. They hide in the back of the tank and it's a STRUGGLE to get them to eat. I drop food in, it floats at the surface, they come out and look at it and try to get the courage to grab it. Little closer, then back off, closer, back off. When one freaks out and runs away, the other joins. Then come look closer, then back off. The male eventually gets the courage to finally snatch it. But it's an insanely quick attempt, then retreats so fast he frequently runs into a powerhead or the wall of the tank. Sometimes he succeeds at grabbing the food, sometimes he misses and it falls to the tank floor. Meanwhile, the female NEVER has enough courage to come to the surface to eat. She occasionally snatches at a piece the male missed as it floats to the tank floor. This has been going on for almost a month now.

 

[philip_r5]

Sounds horrible. I hope they regain their courage. I don't know what to tell you, as I have a foxface that kinda is the same way. When you get close to the tank he darts away and hides till you leave.

 

[RLeclerc]

try roggers reef food! my fish cnt resist! the first day i had my blue tang it ate

 

[Obsessed_Reefer]

Try some frozen food, I've always had luck with just mysis, and the original blend of Rod's Food.

 

[firebirdude]

Ok so some time has past and they seem to be getting better. I think they just weren't used to me walking by the tank. Whatever the reason, they are doing much better now. Still not practically eating from my hand like before, but much much better. The male is dominating the food and the female tends to swim a little lower in the tank, so she just gets whatever the male misses.

 

[OrionN]

I would mix the flake with water so it won't float on the surface. Dump it into the tank or squit it in vith a dropper.

 

[firebirdude]

I dont feed them flakes anymore. That was just all the timed feeder would hold. I use 1mm pellets now.