Finicky multifasciata

[Spartanman22]

Hey everyone,

I scored a nice small centropyge multifasciata this weekend and am having some difficulty getting him to take to prepared foods. This is not my first centropyge so I have several years with them (centropyge potteris). However, this little guy is thwarting any attempt I make at feeding him. So far I have tried the following: mysis, Spirulina brine, Thera-A pellets, mysis Spirulina brine and Thera-A soaked in garlic, fresh little neck clams, nori, and my home made blend (contains squid, shrimp, muscle, octopus, roe, mysis, daphnia, brine, bloodworms, baby brine, Thera-A Spectrum, Formula One herbivore pellets, garlic, spirulina, krill, and Cyclop-eeze).

He is very active and grazing but am getting a bit nervous. It's going on 5 days now since I've had him. He is currently in my frag tank. I am going to grab some live brine from my LFS today. I know it's not the most nutritious but I'd like to see him get something in his stomach soon here.

Are there any other tips or tricks I could try to get this guy onto frozen or dry foods?

 

[Spartanman22]

And for fun here's a picture

 

[pktech]

Nice score! I had a pair that didn't touch anything for almost 2 weeks. Here's what I did & either it worked or they were really hungry:
In a holding tank, (55gl) I had mature live rock & sand. A little "hairy" ... Added tigger & Tisbe pods once a week. Small feedings throughout the day - chopped mysis, live cherrystone clams, rods, ON formula2.

When I started getting really concerned a friend suggested I add a small non-threatening / competitive fish to " instruct them what was edible & within an hour of adding the tiny wrasse, both multibars perked up & ate & never looked back. What exactly worked, I can't say for sure, but I got them eating & even sampling nori rubber banded to a rock.
What size is your tank? Are you putting it through QT? Treating it? Is it in with other fish?

 

[caribfan]

I think you are on the right track with the live brine. I have one that was a little hesitant at first too and live brine was what started the feeding response.

Pktechs advice is great too.

 

[zooman72]

Gorgeous fish, but one that is notoriously difficult to get eating, as well as keep eating long term (one of the many temptations that I have not attempted yet) - I wish you all the luck with it though...

 

[Spartanman22]

Nice score! I had a pair that didn't touch anything for almost 2 weeks. Here's what I did & either it worked or they were really hungry:
In a holding tank, (55gl) I had mature live rock & sand. A little "hairy" ... Added tigger & Tisbe pods once a week. Small feedings throughout the day - chopped mysis, live cherrystone clams, rods, ON formula2.

When I started getting really concerned a friend suggested I add a small non-threatening / competitive fish to " instruct them what was edible & within an hour of adding the tiny wrasse, both multibars perked up & ate & never looked back. What exactly worked, I can't say for sure, but I got them eating & even sampling nori rubber banded to a rock.
What size is your tank? Are you putting it through QT? Treating it? Is it in with other fish?

I did not qt (I know I know). I buy from a shop I trust and simply don't have the space for one. I understand the risks and as soon as I am in a place that allows for a qt I will run one, but unfortunately that isn't now.

I think you are on the right track with the live brine. I have one that was a little hesitant at first too and live brine was what started the feeding response.

Pktechs advice is great too.

I tried live brine today and he didn't show any interest. I am going to continue trying with live brine over the next couple days. I plan to add him to the DT tomorrow in the hopes that being around other fish will stimulate a feeding response.

Gorgeous fish, but one that is notoriously difficult to get eating, as well as keep eating long term (one of the many temptations that I have not attempted yet) - I wish you all the luck with it though...

I know I read thoroughly prior to picking him up. I've kept potters successfully in the past, but from what I've read these guys are much more difficult

 

[twon8]

I would try live blackworms

 

[o2manyfish]

Keeping Potters and Multi-Bar are not in the same league. Potters seem to adapt to captivity pretty easily.

My experience with the Multi-bars is that they want to hunt to feed. My pair don't take any prepared foods. Doesn't matter what goes into the tank, they just keep cruising the rocks and the corals hunting.

Hopefully your tank is mature enough to produce enough food to keep him happy. Also, they like to be shy. They don't venture out in the open too much and like to keep to the caves and in between the rocks. Not as shy as my Golden Angels, but you really have to watch for the Multibars to come out.

Dave B

 

[ryanrid]

they can be tough to get to feed, try everything, all types of nori, sponges etc.

FYI they are a sub species known as paracentropyge where this and it's cousin boylei (pepermint angel) are the only 2 members.

such a cool little fish.

 

[zooman72]

My experience with the Multi-bars is that they want to hunt to feed. My pair don't take any prepared foods. Doesn't matter what goes into the tank, they just keep cruising the rocks and the corals hunting.

Dave B

And this is why I probably will never attempt one...

 

[Spartanman22]

So far he has been very bold and is out in front even if I'm standing right up in front of the tank. And you're right potters and multibar are quite different. My tank is just shy of 2 years old and much of it was transferred from a ta k that was over a year old prior. So at this point I would consider it mature.

 

[d-man]

Yes, as O2manyfish stated they are always on the look out rather than the easy meal. I ive tried a few times and usually slowly waste away. I've given up hope with them.
Try black worms as stated above.
Gl

 

[Spartanman22]

I'll see if I can source some live black worms locally. I understood the risk when getting into this so I am prepared for the worst outcome. Good thing I was able to get him for $30 instead of the usual price.

 

[caribfan]

Sounds like he's not in your DT yet, but not in a QT either, is that correct? What are the current inhabitants of his tank. I typically will keep finicky eaters by themselves initially.

It's important there isn't pressure from other fish at feeding time.

 

[arashsheikhpoor]

Good luck! It looks awesome.

 

[Spartanman22]

He is in my frag tank. Only other fish inhabitant is an extremely skittish six line. I haven't noticed any agrees ion whatsoever and the sixline seems to be a bit afraid of him.

 

[zooman72]

How on earth did you get one for that price, and are you in NY?

 

[caribfan]

That's about wholesale.