Clownfish not eating...

JDigital · #1 07-15-2008, 02:37 AM

I added a ocellaris clown to my tank 3-4 days ago, and the first time when I added food, it ate with no problems, the past 2 nights, it hasn't ate a single bite of food..

I have been feeding frozen brine shrimp w/ crushed flake food added the past 2 nights thinking that it just didn't like the brine, but that hasn't worked.

It also sticks to one end of the tank, and from the limited time I have seen, has not ventured elsewhere in the tank (atleast not when the lights are on). My pygmy angel on the other hand eats with NO problems.

What can I do? The clown is small, so I am worried about starvation.

Help!

Red Coral Aquariums · #2 07-15-2008, 02:57 AM

You could try mysis shrimp or come in and see me I'll get you set with some food incentives and maybe a bit of Michika's homemade recipe.
Kevin

WuHT · #3 07-15-2008, 04:12 AM

hmm the clownfish sticking to one corner isn't too worrisome..but not eating definately is.

Did it eat while it was in QT ? perhaps the angel is making it nervous.
From my experience, my clowns would stop eating and flee when my triggerfish rushes at the food (scattering the clowns).

JDigital · #4 07-15-2008, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WuHT

hmm the clownfish sticking to one corner isn't too worrisome..but not eating definately is.

Did it eat while it was in QT ? perhaps the angel is making it nervous.
From my experience, my clowns would stop eating and flee when my triggerfish rushes at the food (scattering the clowns).

To be honest I don't have a QT tank yet.. I did acclimate it very slowly via the drip method... As for the Angel, he hangs out inside the rock ALOT (99%) and only ventures out during feeding time right now. He was very skittish and nervous when I first added him, and only just today did I notice that he wasn't darting off into the rock when I approached the tank. To be honest, the Angel never really even goes near the clownfish, so I find it unlikely that the angel is the cause of the problem. (But I've been wrong before.. haha)

JDigital · #5 07-21-2008, 02:37 AM

Update:

Been away for the past 5 days, and my tank sitter informed me that my clown still is not eating. He is getting quite thin now, heavy breathing, was near the water line when I got home tonight, but I have since moved him into the fuge.

I don't know what to do..

tlo · #6 07-21-2008, 02:43 AM

try soaking the food with garlic... and see if this stimulates it to eat

JDigital · #7 07-21-2008, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlo

try soaking the food with garlic... and see if this stimulates it to eat

I have tried stimulating it with a small piece of michika's homemade food, and it doesn't work, and that stuff is loaded with garlic.

EDIT:
One more note, when he swims, his tail end drops quite low, and it almost appears that he is struggling to stay off the bottom of the tank... I will be surprised if he makes the night.. I really don't know what to do...

tlo · #8 07-21-2008, 02:51 AM

what are your water parameters, particularly ammonia and nitrates. Any ammonia can cause rapid breathing as it burns their gills.

JDigital · #9 07-21-2008, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlo

what are your water parameters, particularly ammonia and nitrates. Any ammonia can cause rapid breathing as it burns their gills.

I could perform a test right now, but I jumped the gun when I got home from my trip and performed an emergency water change.. so likely to be around where it needs to be... I have a pygmy angel in the tank too, with no signs of distress.