Ansorgii : moody, poor appetite...need advice PLEASE

[888fish]

I bought a 9-10" ansorgii 7/08/08. It has lived with different fishes during the year, but currently lives with 18 clown loaches, medium tigrinus, small delhezi in a 170g bare tank with driftwood. It stays primary in one end of the tank around driftwood. It has always been a stubborn eater, will only eat ONE piece of 1/3 market prawn, 1/4 cut smelt about once every 3-4 days. It used to eat sinking pellets occasionally but now won't touch it. If I attempt to feed it everyday, it ignores the food. It has gotten skinny and not grown at all. Will this one year of poor eating stunt its potential growth long term?

- What type of food is the most irresistible? Earthworms?
- Should the prawns/smelt be cut small, or left large enough so if it swallows only once it gets a larger amount of food?

As a last resort, I'm willing to place it in my alone in a 40G and monitor is closely.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[beblondie]

any sign of internal infestation ie reddish worms protruding form its anus?

 

[888fish]

No. Would some sand help? I also just added a powerhead to stimulate more activity for the clown loaches. The other fish barely touch the smelt or market prawns as I make sure they are feed well before attempting to feed the bichir. I'm going to try earthworms tonight. Should I cut the prawns/smelt into smaller bit sized pieces? Thank you Blondie, you are always open to help.

JJ

 

[beblondie]

move him to the 40 and see if that helps can you get jungle parasite guard or parasite clear?The fussy eating has me wondering if it may have some internal parasite-Anne

 

[mikee870]

Try fish meat, cut into thin strips.. Might help feed that poor poly.. Ill wish for its recovery soon..

 

[varanio]

Try some garlic extract to stimulate its appetite?

 

[madscientist]

she having pms? hehe. try chicken meat without fat and skin. works pretty well

 

[888fish]

Thanks everyone for the advice, especially Blondie! I separated it into a 40G 4 days ago like you suggested (after it tore two huge chunks out of my favorite oddball patterned clown loach.) Its been eating smelt for 3 days now. I'm going to fatten it up and start stuffing the smelt with pellets. Will post some photos after its fat!!!

JJ

 

[uting]

great for you!!! I am looking forward to seeing your pics of you fish.