My LTA wont eat!

[tanyashankles]

hi there, I purchased an LTA about 2 weeks ago, (tank running stable for over a year, and currently have a rock flower that is doing good) I have a 55g long, 2x250 halides, 4x65 actinic, and 30g sump.
Anyway, I bought him from the LFS, and from day one he didnt seem happy, but is declining since. He stays pretty small, not shrunk up but just not fully expanded. I feed him bits of shrimp from the seafood section of albertsons, but he grabs on and then eventually lets go. The rock flower gobbles within minutes it is gone. I have a sinking feeling he is going to die, and Im trying to prevent that from happening, I have noticed my stupid fish (I do love them but they are irritating me) a hippo tang, and scopas tang, and psuedochromis stealing his food from him. Twice now he has swallowed the shrimp, and then within 20-30 minutes, spit it right back out.
So I have 3 things happening, 1) he will try and eat and the fish will steal his food (have even went as far as placing a clear glass cup over him to keep the fish away while he eats) 2.) just lets go of food and wont take it in and 3.) eats it and then expels it. Im not sure what to do. I dont know if the LFS even carries silverslides or silversides or whatever they are called, I doubt it because it is a very small store. Barely carry sw food at all. Anyway HELP!! He is such a beautiful little guy I want to save him if possible.
All of my coral is doing fine, so it isnt a chemistry problem I dont think, I have some sps, and acans, and they are fine. Thanks ALL!!!

 

[mobert]

Buy for human consumption quality shrimp, scallops, or squid from the grocery store. Chop it up very fine so when your fish steal the food, they only get a little bit. Feed with a turkey baster. Best of luck.

Finely chopped food seems to be easier to digest.

 

[1fishkeeper]

Mobert hit the nail on the head with that one. Stick with the smaller foods it will be easyer for it to keep them down and not spit them up.

 

[tanyashankles]

Great, that is probably the problem too, pieces arent fine enough, and I hand feed, which I have heard that some dont like it if your scent is on it? I have been purchasing the human consumption grade shrimp, so I just need to chop it finely, add some tank water and squirt slowly over the nem? He still isnt eating BTW.. And he is kinda gaping but still hanging in there...But he is obviously not happy he moves around alot, and hangs on to the food for a bit, but then lets go or a fish steals it..scoundrels!! JK, but really I will try that, thanks so much! T

 

[tanyashankles]

One other thing...I have Hikari frozen mysis, would that work or is it too small? They dont seem to eat it once I give it to them..

 

[mobert]

I hand feed bigger pieces. (I have big anemones). No problem with scent. Turkey baster works great for the finely chopped food. Hikari is good. PE mysis is better. No such thing as too small. Mine eat Cycloeese and Golden Pearls too. (Plankton size) Smaller pieces are easier to digest.