Man, you have a lot of them!!! They are beautiful!!! My CCs went to the refugium when I had my MI, and I missed them. Even if the MIs begin to take regular fish food and ignore the CCs, they may one day decide to go to town on the CCs. They are beautiful corals, but can be a treat to MIs. I posted this long time ago and this thread now is huge. Perhaps get the MI to eat small pieces of cut Priscine Energetics mysis shrimp. Here is the key...cut them into tiny pieces, half the size of brine shrimp. I just take a small piece of frozen PE mysis and a sharp knife. Cut 1mm slices and that is it. Put just a little bit in the tank at a time, but do this frequently, especially when they are eating. Don't freak out if the MIs don't immediately eat out of the water column. They will likely blow on the small pieces that have fallen onto the bottom of the tank and eventually eat one. They will initially shake their heads several times as if they ate the worst tasting thing in the ocean, but they will keep picking at the pieces on the bottom. Keep the pieces small (did I already say this?!) Do this many times a day, feeding a little at a time. Siphon out any small pieces that have been on the bottom for 1/2 a day or so. I just use RO tubing to siphon the pieces off. Do frequent partial water changes to keep the water quality high. This should work. When they start eating out of the water column, you can try some brine shrimp and very small pieces of scallops. Best of luck!!! If they are actively picking at rock and the glass, then that is a very good sign. Just be persistant with the frequet small feedings. You will likey become excited to watch them take a few pieces so it won't be too boring when you pump your fist with happiness. I believe in using a 30 gallon QT with a protein skimmer and hang on pump (I use an Aqua C remora and an aquaclear 500). They like a decent amount of current. I like a 30 gallon with small to medium fish. If a fish is ever too large for a 30 gallon, then I don't want it. 30 gallon tanks are small enough to allow effective water changes if needed, but big enough to allow decent swimming and dilute toxins. Don't crowd the QT with a ton of rock. Keep several pieces of rock in the QT and keep the area in front, behind, and the sides open so the fish can swim all around the tank if needed.
I had my MI for 4 years and he died in a move of 440 miles. I crashed my tank with the move and I lost my beloved MI.
However, last week I went to the LFS and I found a small 2 1/2 to 3 incher eating and I had to take him. I had a QT running and ready for 6 months, so I was prepared. Use an "aged" QT if you can. Most people that fail with QT basicly use a cruddy glass box. Make the QT a decent investment and you will be rewarded. He now is in the Q tank and doing well. I will treat a MI with copper if needed. I am a big fan of hyposalinity and QT. However, MIs sometimes will need to be transfered to a DT if they start darting around in a Q tank. I don't think 7 days of raising the salinity would work, thus I will treat with copper if needed. Buy the copper test kits. I firmly believe that infections do these fish in fast as their insane metabolism increases even more when they are sick. Keep them calm and control disease and you will be in good shape. If this one survives, then I am 2 for 2 in getting the fish to eat regular food and survive. I firmly believe you need to have them eat prepared foods to suppliment anything they eat off the live rock and sand.
