Pictilis Anthias not eating

[invincible569]

Hello! I have received a trio of Pictilis Anthias and love them very much. Im glad I made the purchase. I am a little concerned that they are not eating. One eats like a pig while the others dont look interested. I have fed live brine, mysis, krill, zooplankton pellets and thats it. The pictilis that does eat likes to eat live brine. Do you gusy have any recommendations to make the rest of the trio eat? Also, will anymore be available soon? Thank you.

 

[dfs/la2]

invincible569,

Thank you for your recent order and contacting us with your concerns regarding the Pictilis Anthias Trio. The main diet of this species is zooplankton and floating filamentous algae. We suggest soaking their food in Garlic Extreme as this will entice them to eat, as well as boost their immune systems during times of stress.
We ask you to please PM us with your order information so we may document your concerns. Please keep us informed of their progress.

We will check with our Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility tomorrow on the availability of these fish.

Chris C.
Live Aquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[invincible569]

Thanks Chris. I will continue to try. I have soaked it in garlic, but will continue to do so. I will buy other brands of zooplankton and see if they will go for it.

 

[King-Kong]

Invincible: I dont know if Dispar's are the same, but my Dispar's INSTANTLY took to eating a minced/blended food.. even before they started eating LIVE BRINE.

They cared more about the size of the food, than if it was a live or not.

Try to get some shrimp and put it in a food processor and see if they will take to it.

 

[dfs/la2]

invincible569,

Thank you for your post. We have spoke to our Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility, and we are expecting to have some more Pictilis Anthias available next week. Please sign up for the Diver’s Den Alerts and we will email you when this wonderful specimen becomes available. We have supplied you with the link below.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/DiversDen/DDemailSignUp_form.cfm

Michelle L.
Live Aquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[beez]

I agree with King-Kong. Try Spectrum Small Fish pellets...my anthias go nuts for these. Best of luck!!

 

[SDguy]

I wouldn't count on picky anthias eating pellets, but you can try. I agree with KK, try finely minced shrimp, scallop and other seafood meats from the grocery store. My anthias go more crazy for this stuff than any other food I buy at the LFS (except maybe PE mysis, which you could also try).

Also try adding the food in front of a water outlet. IME, the sudden movement of the food will attract the fish.

 

[invincible569]

Thanks everyone for all your support. I am trying very hard but the two are just not interested. One is eating so well right now and eats anything in sight now. Im going to try getting some fresh seafood meats as you guys recommended as its my last option. I've already tried the pellets also.

 

[dfs/la2]

nvincible569,

Thank you for the update on the trio. The picture you took is amazing. Please continue to keep us informed to any changes in the fish. Also you may want to soak the foods in Selcon as it adds vitamins for the fish. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at 1-800-334-3699.

Stacie R
Technical Support
Drs Foster and Smith

 

[sugartooth]

invincible: Also, if you can get your hands on some Sweetwater Zooplankton, that may work too.

 

[SDguy]

Small feeder fish like guppies can also be tried for larger species as a last resort. GL!

 

[CarlC]

Live Mysids are hard for any anthias to resist.

Carl

 

[reef_doug]

Georgous fish! I would also try Cyclopese and Daphnia.

 

[sangraal]

Have you tried P.E Mysis? Most fish eat this like there is no tomorrow....

 

[ezcompany]

i second the cyclopeeze. Try thawing cyclopeeze in dts oyster eggs.