I have bought one who had eaten in shop tank. Unfortunatelly, first impression in my tank looks awfull. Idol had been beaten by A.Leucosternon and Z. Xanthurum. Stress result - white spots on all body. Additional, as far he is not interested in frozen food. Now, after 3 days he is not under such strong agression as at begining but still tangs are tough for him. He has less white spots also. How could I force him to eat? What should I try to feed?
Zanclus
- Thread starter erich1980
- Start date
AfricaOffroad
New member
Stress does cause a fish to stop eating.
Happened to my sailfin tang that got badly beaten up by a big purple tang.
Only started eating again after about 2.5 weeks.
I was sure I was going to loose it.
Just keep feeding whatever it was previously eating.
Feed often, also some nori rubberbanded to a rock might entice it.
My moorish idol eats just about anything I throw in the tank
Happened to my sailfin tang that got badly beaten up by a big purple tang.
Only started eating again after about 2.5 weeks.
I was sure I was going to loose it.
Just keep feeding whatever it was previously eating.
Feed often, also some nori rubberbanded to a rock might entice it.
My moorish idol eats just about anything I throw in the tank
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The situation seems to improve but Zanclus still does not eat.
Agression from Tangs stopped, the white spots dissappeared. Zanclus is interested in fairy shrimps and mysis but not eating. I will have a frozen spongues (Ocean Nutricion) on monday. Could it help? What more can I do?
Thanks for all help.
...
The situation seems to improve but Zanclus still does not eat.
Agression from Tangs stopped, the white spots dissappeared. Zanclus is interested in fairy shrimps and mysis but not eating. I will have a frozen spongues (Ocean Nutricion) on monday. Could it help? What more can I do?
Thanks for all help.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Did you see the fish eat or did the guy at the LFS say it was eating? These fish can easily go a couple of weeks before they eat-- If they eat. Once eating, they are the easiest fish I keep to feed. The big problem with them is getting them to START eating. Try a fresh, opened clam from the grocery store, if that doesn't work; just hope he starts to eat what your other fish are eating. BTW, there seem to be a lot of people who consider Idols to be herbivores, they're omnivores. IME, they are more likely to eat meaty stuff as a first food than veggies. There is a very real chance that this fish will never eat, its the biggest risk with them and why they are considered one of the most difficult fish available. The "white spots'' are a whole new issue that you need to look at. Its very possible, by not using a QT (where its easier to get any new fish eating, IME & IMO), you may have introduced a parasite into your DT. Your profile says you are a beginner, please slow down and do some research; or you'll leave this wonderful hobby before you get started. Any source would have told you the Idols are anything but a beginners fish. BTW, can you tell us your tank size and present fish?.
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My Tank is about 245 gallon (300 in whole system). I started more than one year ago. I have arrange live rock (150kg) in two hills with a lot of space to swim arround and betwen them. Mainly soft coral inside. System is stabilized, i have not got any problems with algaes. The all fish (except Idol) are from more than half year in tank. 4 Anthias squampinis, 2 wrases (labroides dimidiatus incl.) and tangs... large naso lituratus, Z. xanthurum, scopas, flavescens, A.Leucosternon and P.hepatus. It is about my tank. I can give more information whatever you want.
The Zanclus... Now i feel deceived by salesman. I have not seen Zanclus at shop becouse it was far from my city. But on the other hand - fish was in well shape (but quarantine was only one week at shop) without any white spots. Just after releasing to tank he was attacked by xanthurum and leucosternon. The white spots occured after 10 minutes from entering to tank. It could be stress result? Now, only xanthurum softly chase away him if he is in neighborhood. There are not and were not any white spots on other tangs (except hepatus sometimes - but it is normal for him)
Zanclus is still feeding on live rock but it is not interested in frozen food. His activity and will to live is amazing. Today i tried with frozen mix boosted with tropic marine garlic enchance - unsuccesfully. I will buy fresh clams tommorow. How should I slice it? Chop up small?
Thanks for all your help and such expanded response.
The Zanclus... Now i feel deceived by salesman. I have not seen Zanclus at shop becouse it was far from my city. But on the other hand - fish was in well shape (but quarantine was only one week at shop) without any white spots. Just after releasing to tank he was attacked by xanthurum and leucosternon. The white spots occured after 10 minutes from entering to tank. It could be stress result? Now, only xanthurum softly chase away him if he is in neighborhood. There are not and were not any white spots on other tangs (except hepatus sometimes - but it is normal for him)
Zanclus is still feeding on live rock but it is not interested in frozen food. His activity and will to live is amazing. Today i tried with frozen mix boosted with tropic marine garlic enchance - unsuccesfully. I will buy fresh clams tommorow. How should I slice it? Chop up small?
Thanks for all your help and such expanded response.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Spots sound normal, lots of stressed fish get them. I though you meant a parasite, like ich. A fresh clam should just be opened and tossed in the tank; most fish will go nuts and the feeding may get the idol feeding too. Idols can go a long time without eating. The only one I failed with lasted over a month without eating , then the tell-tale blackening started and I euthanized him. At this point; keeping great water and offering a variety of good foods is about all you can do. I hope he surprises you. Grazing on the LR is a good sign.
No progress...
No progress...
It is not easy to buy fresh clams in Poland. I will get them tommorow. As far Zanclus is still gracing on LR. I tried frozen shrimps, gammarus and others. He is ineterested in algae clip but tangs keep him in distance. He is still very active, not going to be thin and i can observe his excrements couple time a day. But still not eating frozen fish.
Next two steps. Tommorow I will try with fresh clams, after tommorow with frozen spongs (Ocean nutricion).
There were some uncertain moments last 2 weeks. His white spots, agression received from leucosternon and xanthurum.... Now he looks great but still not eating. :sad2: I have great colourfull tangs but now I can give all them back if my zanclus start to eat.
Incredible, sophisticated, beautiful fish.
No progress...
It is not easy to buy fresh clams in Poland. I will get them tommorow. As far Zanclus is still gracing on LR. I tried frozen shrimps, gammarus and others. He is ineterested in algae clip but tangs keep him in distance. He is still very active, not going to be thin and i can observe his excrements couple time a day. But still not eating frozen fish.
Next two steps. Tommorow I will try with fresh clams, after tommorow with frozen spongs (Ocean nutricion).
There were some uncertain moments last 2 weeks. His white spots, agression received from leucosternon and xanthurum.... Now he looks great but still not eating. :sad2: I have great colourfull tangs but now I can give all them back if my zanclus start to eat.
Incredible, sophisticated, beautiful fish.
