getting a fish to eat

[dviper150]

I recently acquired a nice queen angel from a diver. Its been in my tank for 3 days now and it did come straight from the ocean so didn't go through the middle man and tank to tank. It hasn't eaten anything that I have put into the tank for the 3 days that I have had it so far but I do see it picking on the rocks. I have some rocks in my fuge that are covered in white sponge so I put a couple of those in the tank. It did pick on it but always spat it out. I also tried tying down fresh clams to a rock and it also picked at that but spat it out.

I tried to feed it pellets, ocean plankton, PE mysis, hikari mysis, jumbo mysis, krill, angel formula, marine algae, nori, and brine shrimp. It hasn't touched any of that. I do add garlic extreme to the food. I just ordered seachem entice to see if that will help. I did try tying down purple seaweed to a rock but didn't even look at that. I was told to try some romaine lettuce so I will get some of that tomorrow and see.

What else do you guys think I should try? Its only been 3 days so far in my tank. Thanks for any help!

on a side note, it did come in with ammonia burns on the fins because of the poor packing but it has recovered nicely since I put it in the tank.

 

[RayL]

Firstly dont stress too much, it might take a couple more days before it feels comfortable to try eating. Secondly have you tried any live food?

 

[Mrscribbled]

Not in quarantine? Most likely full of flukes. I'd wait a couple weeks before really worrying. I doubt she'll touch romaine. Fresh clam on the half shell would be my first thing to try.

 

[dviper150]

Firstly dont stress too much, it might take a couple more days before it feels comfortable to try eating. Secondly have you tried any live food?

I haven't tried any live. Just been trying different frozen and dry foods.

Not in quarantine? Most likely full of flukes. I'd wait a couple weeks before really worrying. I doubt she'll touch romaine. Fresh clam on the half shell would be my first thing to try.

Doesn't look like it. I gave it a prazi and fresh Water dip. It isn't displaying any signs that it has flukes or anything else that is bothering it.

 

[MrTuskfish]

3 days is WAY to early to worry. This isn't really about what the fish will eat; the fish has to adapt to captivity first, then it will feed on normal foods. Whatever it eats first will get all the credit. It sounds like this is an adult. Adult angels have usually developed an eating pattern that includes stuff we may not be able to feed; this is why juvi angels are easier. As Mrscribbled said, romaine is doubtful if it won't eat algae and clams are great for reluctant eaters. If it does eat the romaine, its the timing, not the food.
I also agree on the probability of flukes with these fish; treat with Prazi-Pro after a FW dip. If the fins were ammonia burned, the gills are burned as well; Stresscoat in a HT/QT will help. You would have an easier time getting this fish to eat in a QT; no food competitors, bullies, or mayhem. This is just one of a dozen reasons to quarantine new fish. Acclimating large angels in a display tank can be very difficult. Its not too late to quarantine this fish, but to late to prevent all of its tankmates from catching any parasites/diseases that the fish may have.

 

[dviper150]

When should I start worrying? Today is day 4. The queen is about 6" from head to tail. it still has a good amount of body weight on it. Its the biggest fist in the tank so no one is bullying it. I noticed today though that it does come to the front glass as my other fish do but doesn't seem interested in the food. It didn't come to the front glass the last 3 days so that's a good sign. I will try fresh clams instead of the frozen clams on the half shell that I am using. I only tried purple sea week so I will give red and green a try as well.

I did a FW dip on it already and then did a prazi bath. I don't have a QT so getting it to eat in the DT would be the only option here.

 

[Mrscribbled]

When should I start worrying? Today is day 4. The queen is about 6" from head to tail. it still has a good amount of body weight on it. Its the biggest fist in the tank so no one is bullying it. I noticed today though that it does come to the front glass as my other fish do but doesn't seem interested in the food. It didn't come to the front glass the last 3 days so that's a good sign. I will try fresh clams instead of the frozen clams on the half shell that I am using. I only tried purple sea week so I will give red and green a try as well.

I did a FW dip on it already and then did a prazi bath. I don't have a QT so getting it to eat in the DT would be the only option here.

An adult queen with good fat reserves can go at least two weeks if not more before action needs to take place such as tube feeding. Keep in mind unlike fish that are collected, then sit at exporters, then wholesalers, then retail stores often see very little food in that time. Being yours bypassed that, you have time yet.

 

[dviper150]

Thanks for the reply Mrscribbled. I feel better knowing they can last that long. If it does come down to tube feeding? How is that done and with what foods? I have never heard of anyone or even using a tube to feed a fish that isn't eating.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Thanks for the reply Mrscribbled. I feel better knowing they can last that long. If it does come down to tube feeding? How is that done and with what foods? I have never heard of anyone or even using a tube to feed a fish that isn't eating.

Alzpro has a thread somewhere on how its done. I'm sure she'll come around though.

 

[viggen]

I started my queen who i purchased a few months ago and is 10+ in on flake food of all things. The first few days after he was shipped from a wholesaler I thought there was no way he would make it..... Floating upside down and doing barrel rolls etc.... I think it was the 4th day I saw him chase other new fish in the qt and the next day he ate.... Flake food

Like stated give it time. If she is hanging out with the other fish when they are fed I am sure it will put 1 and 1 together soon and start eating.

I added all my fish to my display tank a week or so ago and My blue face is still kinda shy. i try holding out the can of food in front of the tank and its amazing how quickly the fish realize that means FOOD

 

[dviper150]

I did move it a QT tank on Sunday and started prazipro just to be safe. I tried omega one red seaweed today clipped nearby where it hangs out and it did take a few bites but spat it out.