Femininus wrasse feeding issue

[jythong]

Hi guys, would like to ask for advice regarding feeding for my wrasse.

I acquired a female femininus wrasse five days ago. The whole shipment appeared to be already feeding on mysis in the seller's tank.
My femininus is active and feeds greedily on mysis, even off hand. However, I noticed that she tended to spit out the food then suck it in, then spit them out again. I think she probably actually consumed 20% or less of the food I fed her. I know that these wrasses can be slow eaters but just wondering how long it will take before she eats more as I am concerned about weight loss.
Tried the following:
Dr G's Copedpods Max- consumed them on D1 but later did not seem to like them
Dr G's Dewormer Frozen Fish Food- spits them out.
Cyclopeez- Ignores them
Hikari Frozen Mysis- spits out and eventually ingested 20% at most
Dr G Gut-loaded Mysis-spits out and eventually ingested 20% or less.
Chopped frozen prawn- spits out but eventually ingested 20% or less

Any suggestions on ensuring proper nutrition? Or is this situation temporary? Thanks!

 

[evolved]

The behavior is how they feed when the food is larger; it's essentially chewing it's food.

If you can find them locally, live black worms is an easy food to start on. The best frozen start used to be Nutramar ova, but that's difficult to find now.

If she's eating some mysis as it stands, it might be best to stick with that. You can try some sinking pellets like New Life Spectrum at a latter point too, but I wouldn't attempt that until she takes better to other prepared foods .

 

[acesq]

Sounds to me like you're off to a good start with her. Mine "chews" alot as well, spits out and goes after the smaller pieces, but she is fat and happy.

 

[jythong]

The behavior is how they feed when the food is larger; it's essentially chewing it's food.

If you can find them locally, live black worms is an easy food to start on. The best frozen start used to be Nutramar ova, but that's difficult to find now.

If she's eating some mysis as it stands, it might be best to stick with that. You can try some sinking pellets like New Life Spectrum at a latter point too, but I wouldn't attempt that until she takes better to other prepared foods .

Thanks. We only have live tubifex worms for freshwater fish and I am not sure if they can pollute the tank. Live black worms may not be available locally.
Nutramar ova seems to be a product worth trying. Not sure if available but prawn roe is commonly sold fresh in the Japanese section of supermarkets here. And if the wrasse rejects it then humans can consume it...

 

[jythong]

Sounds to me like you're off to a good start with her. Mine "chews" alot as well, spits out and goes after the smaller pieces, but she is fat and happy.

Some aquarists mentioned that it may take a while for the fish to reduce the spitting.
It is spitting out less mysis today but totally ignored dr G pods max.

 

[jythong]

This is a pic of her:

 

[snorvich]

Beautiful fish. Have you tried fish roe?

 

[acesq]

Every time I see a picture of one I marvel at the intensity of the blue! Amazing!

Nutramar ova has been off the market for a while now, but I don't think it's big enough to interest a femininus wrasse anyway although it has always been my go to food for finicky eaters. I bought a bag of live amphipods when I got mine and she went to town for weeks digging those out of the sand. I like to add a bag every couple of months to keep the population up.

 

[jythong]

I have not tried fish roe. I will drop by the supermarket to get ebiko (prawn roe) or tobiko ( flying fish roe). They are commonly available here.
Probably need to ask the Japanese chef if any preservatives have been added to them though ...

 

[jythong]

I may also try Reef Nutrition ROE and Dr G Caviar, since I heard they are similar to Nutramar Ova. But of course it is cheaper to just get the fresh roe from the market.
Will update if any success.

 

[jythong]

Ebiko (prawn roe) was ignored.
However she was accepting chopped frozen prawn more willingly with little spitting out. Not keen for Dr G mysis today.
This fish is finicky and has her moods.

 

[benjc]

Maybe try the Hikari frozen brine w/ spirulina. Beautiful fish.

 

[jythong]

Would like to report that my femininus wrasse has finally accepted pellet food 1 month ago. I am not sure if there were any factors but I was away on a trip for 1 week and the tank was on auto feeding with pellets only, with frozen mysis given twice duringt the 1 week while I was away. This might have contributed to her more willing to accept pellet later on.

 

[Breakthecycle2]

I always seem to have success with ROE, in terms of getting finicky fish to eat. My two Moorish Idol's will only eat that and nori.

 

[bobkill]

Very attractive fish!