Food Presentation

[jfro]

Hi. I just got a pair of Reidi from Pacific East Aquaculture - I'm very happy with them - they seem vibrantly healthy! Dr. Mac said these guys are tank-raised on frozen mysis shrimp. I've tried to feed them frozen mysis shrimp twice today without luck.

Is there a preferred way to present the food to them?

Is it normal for them to be finicky when first introduced to their new home after a stressfull shipping period?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[sarahbab]

I felt like it took my horses about a week before they really settled in and ate the way that I thought that they should. The first day my female didn't accept the food that I had offered her. The male did. Each day they ate better and better, and now they are total pigs. It may be easier for you and better for water quality if you train them to eat from a feeding station. I always target feed mine, just because I enjoy doing it. What ever you prefer, they will adapt to. Good Luck!

 

[luvabunny]

They may very well not eat for a few days. They will be checking out their new home, finding pods, and getting used the the new digs.
If it goes longer than a couple of days where they are refusing mysis, I suggest you try feeding them some small live shrimp, whether red volcano or ghost shrimp, just to keep that appetite good. Don't overdo it, you want to keep them hungry, but not starving. They should pick back up on the frozen mysis pretty quickly.

 

[jfro]

Thanks for the reassurance - I'm happy to know this finicky eating is normal for the first few days.

Here's a couple more questions for clarification.

1. Do you turn off your circulation pumps when you feed?

2. Can you give me an example of the "feeding dish" set-up posted above?

Thanks.

 

[pledosophy]

Alot of people turn off the circulation pumps when they feed, it can be helpful.

A feeding dish is simply a place you put there food in every day. Some people use various half shells, such as abolone, others use a bowl from there kitchen.

I would also contact where you got them to see if you are feeding the same type of food they were eating and what if any enrichment they were using.

It is perfectly normal the behavior your horses are displaying.

 

[jfro]

OK. The food I'm feeding them was sent from the place I purchased them and I tried a feeding dish but the food floated out of it.

I'm heading to my LFS today - the mysis were defrosted when they arrived, but still quite cold. I re-freezed them but maybe the nutritional value was compromised by the defrost/refreezing.

Anyway, I know I don't need to panic yet. Thanks.