Stubborn flowerhorn

[Kittyflower]

So I got a flowerhorn close to a month ago. He/she will only eat 2 pellets a day. They refuse to eat when I put food in the tank and then eventually eat it like an hour later. I have tried fasting it for a day to make it more interested in food. I have tried 3 different types of pellet food. I have tried blood worms, shrimp, and tubiflex worms. It always tastes them and then spits them out. It's to the point where if I put in 2 pellets a day that little white worms appear in the tank which I have researched and found they are harmless but appear when the tank has left over food in it. I'm at a loss for how to get the flowerhorn to eat and put on size.

 

[JSpilo]

Don't feed for a few days. It'll eat.
Maybe try dimming the lights?
What's your water quality like? PH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates. Water temp?

 

[Kittyflower]

Water temp is 76 and all my water readings are right where they should be

 

[Termitehunter]

Your temp seems to be a bit low. Try a gradual bump over the next day or two up around 82 to 84. This will speed up his metabolism and therefore his appetite. From my experience, flowerhorns can really thrive up to 86.

Good looking fish by the way

 

[JSpilo]

Your temp seems to be a bit low. Try a gradual bump over the next day or two up around 82 to 84. This will speed up his metabolism and therefore his appetite. From my experience, flowerhorns can really thrive up to 86.

Good looking fish by the way

Yes, I agree... up the water temp.
I personally wouldn't go higher than 82°F. I keep mine at 80°F. Certain types of bad bacteria can thrive at higher temps, so I play it safe.
Don't feed for a couple days and try dimming the lights if possible or feed with the lights off.

 

[Fishenvy]

I keep my tanks at 80. That should speed up the metabolism. Is there any fish for him to chase around?

 

[Kittyflower]

No hes the only fish in the tank. He has 75 gallons to wander around in. I wanted to keep him by himself so it would increase the desire for human interaction. Also on top of him not wanting to eat he developed a prolapse. I dont know of it's related but saw it was common with flowerhorns. I added in Epsom salt and I'll be slowly raising the temp for him.

 

[Fishenvy]

No hes the only fish in the tank. He has 75 gallons to wander around in. I wanted to keep him by himself so it would increase the desire for human interaction. Also on top of him not wanting to eat he developed a prolapse. I dont know of it's related but saw it was common with flowerhorns. I added in Epsom salt and I'll be slowly raising the temp for him.

That's a large tank for 1 fish. I would recommend adding a few parrots or other small cichlids like a vieja to just literally give him something to chase.

He will work up a healthy appetite and be ready for his snackums.

 

[Ruturaj]

I think it's either stress, disease or a parasite. Temperature is a little on lower side but not as much to cause the eating issue. And I don't think tank size is a reason as well. You will have to observe your fish to find out more symptoms.

 

[Fishenvy]

He looks bored af...