Ocellaris Clown - New to tank/feeding

[KRBNSOL]

I have added 2 new clowns to the tank. According to the LFS, they have been eating well and eat anything. I've had them for a day now and tried flake food. The mouth it and spit it out. Is it they are just aren't ready to feed and still getting used to the tank? Is there something I'm not doing right here?

Any help/advice is appreciated. thanks!

 

[tbettis]

bump

 

[john miller]

I'm still a newbie but usually if they mouth it and spit it out it's because it's to big for them to swallow. Try crushing the flakes up a little.

 

[tommydee]

+1 on smaller flakes, or try different flake formula.

I tried floating pellets, and they can't get them in their mouth--did the same spit routine. Sounds like if they're trying to eat, that is a good sign.

 

[KRBNSOL]

Thanks for the info.

I crushed the flakes and seems to help a bit. However, they still don't seem real happy about the flake. So....back to the store to see what these food snobs will eat!

 

[guppy74]

I use Formula ONE Marine Pelet's Small size also I use Instant Ocean Marine Blend Gel Food it comes in single serve pouches, which with my clowns (I have a Gold striped Maroon and two false percs, not in the same tank) I use half of one pouch and use the other half the next day. It is gel so even with a bigger piece the clowns just tear off what they want my Gobbies also love the gel food. My GSM Clown goes crazy over the gel. He is in his own tank and is 2x the size of the percs. Frozen or live Brine or Mysis shimp is another favorite. The only time I use flakes is as a last resort. Hope this helps.

 

[Bananafish]

Well... Clowns usually do eat anything, but I've found some of them are picky. If they don't start eating soon, I would try a different flake. Maybe you can get a small sample of something from your LFS to see what they will eat before buying a whole jar. But clowns should come up to eat like they've never seen food before.

 

[duncantse]

I use New Life Spectrum (NLS) small sinking pellets. My new clowns would do the same thing you describe but with pellets. After a week, they rarely spit the food out then after 2 weeks, they started really eating it. IME, I think it takes time for them to eat.

 

[Bananafish]

So....back to the store to see what these food snobs will eat!

A very good idea. Mixed flakes are usually a good idea, and they give more complete nutrition because they're made of different foods. Clowns need meaty foods, and you should feed them frozen mysis shrimp and squid as well as the flakes. Don't feed your fish brine shrimp - they are not nutritious and are like potato chips: Calories, yes - nutrients, no.

 

[mrbigshot]

if they are newly added they will be timid eaters for a few days.

my tiny ones are able to eat spectrum small fish pellets (petco $6). they are at best 3/4" long. my larger darwins can eat up hakari marine-s pellets. they are just over 3/4". the formula pellets seem a little to big for them.

 

[israel.kendall]

I just bought two ocellaris clowns yesterday. They totally ignored formula one pellets but seem to enjoy some Cyclops.

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[msman825]

try a little mysis.

 

[john miller]

I must have gotten really lucky. Mine ate within a few minutes of being taken out of the bag. I'm feeding formula one flakes, chopped raw shrimp & brine shrimp.

 

[KRBNSOL]

Picked up some formula 1 today. Seems to be an agreeable food for them, but I need to really break it up for them to be able to eat. I'm going to check out some of the other suggestions you had as well. I think the smaller the better for these 2.

 

[Bananafish]

How big are these clowns? And did you get Formula One frozen?

To John Miller: Don't feed them brine shrimp - it's worthless. Feed them mysis shrimp instead. The brine shrimp don't have good nutrition.

I feed mine 3 different kinds of flakes, freeze dried krill, mysis shrimp, squid, beef heart, frozen Formula-One, and whenever I cook fish, shrimp, or clams I always save some for the fish tank. It's important they get a diverse diet - just like us.

 

[Mark Thompson]

+1 on them not wanting to eat for the first day or two. i've had a few mated pairs and they always take a few days to get used to the tank and then they will eat anything. Also +1 on mysis shrimp instead of brine. Brine is like candy not nutritional value unless something is added.

 

[Fer21]

I plan on feeding my clowns with Formula 1 Small Pellets, Formula 2 Small Pellets, Prime Reef Flakes and Mysis Shrimp, do you guys think that a good diet?

Thanks

 

[CoreyGardner]

My Maroon enjoys Froz Shrimp and Flakes