prize fish stops eating

[richard snyder]

I have a 16" emperor angel that I have for about 9 months, in my 800 gal FO tank. The biggest worry when I got him was whether or not he would eat since he came from the wild this size. After 2 days he did eat however and has been a voracious eater ever since. He is kept with other large fish ; 30" bamboo shark,adult queen angel , 30" snowflake eel, black volitan lion,desjardini tang,yellow tang,scopas tang,sohal tang,flagfin angel,male bird wrasse,assorted clowns,pakastani butterfly,naso tang. The problem is he stopped eating about three days ago. He seems very interested in food when I feed but turns away. I'm feeding what I always feed; squid,krill, silversides,prawn,mysis,marine cusine. He always ate like a pig. I put some red and green seaweed in hoping that might be what he was looking for, not interested. Any suggestions. I am not going to feed for 2 days and see if his apetite increases. I also soaked some food in garlic extreme and that did not work. Let me know if you have had any experience with this

 

[danorth]

Is it stressed by another fish? That can cause the feeding strike.

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Try an open fresh clam? Or really last resort to keep the guy alive, since he came from the wild, at that size all they eat is sponge. So maybe by a cheap sponge from a LFS and see if he eats it. You'll want to wean him off of it like you were doing with the frozen foods, but at least he'll eat. It's hard to get a healthy emperor that size, your better off with a juvi and watching him grow up under captivity care.

 

[jmccown]

Oh my god please get me a picture of that fish before it dies (hopefully it doesn't). I gotta see it. I bet it's beautiful.

 

[AquaKnight]

x2

Get a large(biggest available) tree sponge from the LFS. They eat sponges in the wild, should get him on that.

 

[HPD Turbo]

Cant wait for pics!!!!
Come on!!!!

 

[Marc]

800 gallons, WOW, I want to see pics of that tank. I don't mean to get off topic though but what is your equipment? I also have a large showsize imperator angel and she loves Ocean Nutrition Angel formula and Ocean Nutrition VHP, (Very high protein). Also try to feed your angel some Nori. Mine will usually eat a whole sheet right up. Also try garlic juice for your frozen foods. Mix a couple drops of the garlic juice or garlic oil in a cup of frozen fish food. Your fish will eat again. And just in case your fish may be suffering from an intestinal parasite, the garlic oil will help.

Marc