I got this guy about a week ago and he is still not really eating. I've been trying to feed him brine shrimp and even got some clam meat as well. I have tried soaking the meat in garlic guard for a few hours before feeding it to him but he doesnt seem interested. He does nip at the small piece of lr in there but I dont really think there is much on there for him to eat, certainly not to sustain him for more than a day or two. Any thoughts on ways to get him to eat? I talked to the lfs and they said that they were having issues getting him to eat as well... wish I would have asked that question before I got him...
Raccoon Butterfly
- Thread starter mtsuguy
- Start date
Jerry W
Active member
Try a variety of meaty foods. Chopped mussell might work, mysis, bloodworms, plankton, pellets. You can also take a whole clam from the grocer and crack it open a little and place it in the tank. How big is the fish? How much live rock is in the tank? IME, having a large amount of live rock is critical to the initial success of most butterflies in any system.
He is still in qt so there is only one piece of lr in there, maybe 1 lb. Hes only about 2 inches, he was the smallest they had. He is in a 10g at the moment but he will be moved to the 55 in a week if I can get him to eat. The 55 has about 60 lbs of lr. I really wanted to get him eating before i threw him in the mix competing with 2 clows and a damsel for food. The 55 isnt permanet just started with it a few months ago, I will upgrade in August to a 90 or a 110 if all goes well, so far so good.
moogoomoogoo
Premium Member
mysis is what I used for mine
The Raccoon butterfly is known to be difficult at times to acclimate to aquarium food. One thing you can do that almost always works is buy an inexpensive anemone such as a condy. My local Petco sells small ones for under $10bux. Anemones are part of it's natural diet and they almost always cannot resist them. Also remember this fish is a nocturnal feeder so acclimating it to feeding in daylight can also take some time.
discusone
New member
Check your ammonia levels ASAP.in a ten gallon QT,this can build up fast.Raccoons are fairly bulletproof, as b-flys go,the rapid breathing is indicating stress.Thats maybe why its not eating.
B-flys rarely eat under stress,Also,did you treat for flukes?Gills may be irritated.Use Prazilpro for treatment.
B-flys this small need constant feedings,and be extremely difficult to maintain.Check your water quality ASAP,and double check your oxygen levels(tight fitting lid,or not enough surface agitation.
Hoping all goes well.
B-flys rarely eat under stress,Also,did you treat for flukes?Gills may be irritated.Use Prazilpro for treatment.
B-flys this small need constant feedings,and be extremely difficult to maintain.Check your water quality ASAP,and double check your oxygen levels(tight fitting lid,or not enough surface agitation.
Hoping all goes well.
discusone
New member
Okay, here i go again,
Reread your original post,and at two inches,make sure the food being offered is small enough to be swallowed.
Raccoons this small need tiny bits.B-flys will spit out anything to large to be swallowed.
See if you can find frozen baby brine at your local LFS.
Reread your original post,and at two inches,make sure the food being offered is small enough to be swallowed.
Raccoons this small need tiny bits.B-flys will spit out anything to large to be swallowed.
See if you can find frozen baby brine at your local LFS.
