LMB in QT doesn't seem to be eating

[Kyle918]

I bought a LMB two weeks ago today. He is in a 10 gallon QT with PVC. A few days into QT, I removed a small piece of rock that I have had in my sump of my DT seeding for a one time use in QT for this guy and rubber banded some dried seaweed to it with no luck to my knowledge. I'm pretty sure it broke apart and was sucked up by the filter from what I saw cleaning it.

I feed NLS pellets to the chromis that is also in QT with him. He was shy and didn't eat either for the first two days but is slowly becoming accustomed to me and realizing I am the keeper of the food. :lol:

The LMB does pays attention to me feeding the Chromis and after over a week I've finally witnessed him taking pellets but he spits it back out repeated and eventually has a "Meh" attitude and leaves it.

I did purchase him expecting him to be a picky eater and that this would take patience to groom him but I am afraid he is not eating at all and he does appear to be a bit on the thin side more lately. What else can I try to feed him? I have NLS sinking wafers coming in the mail next week but what can I do this weekend? I was thinking more on the side of what can I buy fresh from the grocery store that he may eat? Is there anything I should be aware of when buying grocery store produce?

Any other suggestions with a LMB would be greatly appreciated!

 

[snorvich]

You could try nori.

 

[Marshall O]

I would try nori as suggested. Unfortunately, I had one that would not touch it nor anything else besides hair algae. Once that was gone, it starved

 

[Kyle918]

I would try nori as suggested. Unfortunately, I had one that would not touch it nor anything else besides hair algae. Once that was gone, it starved

I feel that I am running into the same problem. I have tried nori as well but he doesn't appear to be going after it. About how long did he live after the hair algae was depleted?

 

[jjk_reef00]

pe mysis, and other meaty foods are also worth a try
my bleeny eats everything

 

[sreefs]

The one I had watched the other fish eat and would try what ever the fish were eating, then after a week finally started to eat, now eats everything. He became a pig! Keep giving the chromis a good variety and put a little nori on a rock like you did and change it twice daily.

 

[Marshall O]

I feel that I am running into the same problem. I have tried nori as well but he doesn't appear to be going after it. About how long did he live after the hair algae was depleted?

I think around 6 months total. It spent 8 weeks in my 46 QT, which had plenty for it to pick from. So maybe 2 months after it had consumed all of the noticeable GHA. It still picked at the rocks all day, just not much there for it to eat. Impossible fish to catch too, without removing all of the rockwork since I could not entice it into a trap with food.

 

[Kyle918]

I finally got my LMB to eat. For some reason, I felt that he didn't like the texture of the pellets so I ran out to the closet PetSmart and bought some regular tropical flakes. He actually chases those flakes down as they enter the water. I haven't seen him eat more than about 3-4 in one feeding session but I have been working to feed him twice a day. He is pretty skinny right now. I've had it for 3 weeks yesterday.

 

[fairladyZ]

my LMB didn't much care for food when he was in QT. he would kinda do what you say, he will eat a few little pieces then ignore it.. He eventually turned into a pig and eat EVERYTHING i put into the tank. I would just keep trying, he'll come around.. try to slowly target feed him so atleast he takes a bite of something.

My LMB and tang also love these