Firemouth not eating

[dcwallace]

I recently added a 2.5 inch firemouth to my 40 gallon cichlid tank. It's tankmates include 2 convict cichlids, each about 1 inch. I don't believe they are a pair. He was added about 4 days ago and I have yet to see him eat. The convicts are very active when feeding and always rush to the top, yet the firemouth doesn't look interested. I have a few live plans in there that he could be eating, but I wanted to get some ideas for yall. Just did a 20 percent water change too. I've got a magnum 350 canister filter on the tank.

[dcwallace]

bump! ive been feeding the convicts new life spectrum cichlid food by the way

[fishnoob]

bump

[Venom SS]

Possible internal parasite...but first things first, water parameters. SA cichlids like low ph under 7.0, zero nitrites, very low nitrates like 10-20ppm,warm water and zero ammonia. How long it been since you changed the media in your canister? If all these things are in range, he just may not like what you are offering, or hes just on a hunger strike. Some fish when you first put them in the tank wont eat for several days. Every Firemouth I ever owned wasnt very picky though. They will eat just about any carnivorous foods.

[hairdog]

sounds like my festae right now he is still acting normal but has not eaten for 3 days now. chase other fish around but has no intrest in food

[ShipOfFools37]

I had issues with my firemouth's not eating right away, and they still hand out around the bottom when i'm near the tank, but when i walk a few steps away they go up and eat or get the food as it sinks. I'd say just let them be, I even see mine picking food out of the gravel too, so I'm sure they're not starving.