Bocourti won't eat

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R

rich_one

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jan 6, 2011
1,141
4
53
Southern Maryland
I have a bocourti about 6"-7" I got from a local club member. It had been getting a little beat up in his tank, though, it was not too bad. A little fin damage, mostly. I put him in a 90 gallon tank all by himself to try to get him healed up and back to full strength and color. However, now I'm getting a bit concerned. So far, I have not been able to get him to eat. I have tried both NLS pellets and also some spirulina flakes w/ garlic. So far, he just ignores everything.

I intend to maybe give bloodworms a try tomorrow... but any have suggestions on stimulating the big guy's appetite? I know bocourtis are somewhat more vegetarian... but so far, I have not found one fish that is capable of ignoring bloodworms...

-Rich
 
Duh... guess it would have helped for me to put that here. I got him last Saturday.

I am going to do a big water change tonight, and then offer him some romaine lettuce on Sunday. If that doesn't do the trick, then I may try some melafix, another big water change, repeat every few days until he hopefully comes around.

Maybe I should grab some kind of wood or rock or something to give him some kind of cover, so he maybe feels more comfortable also.

-Rich
 
I would weight down romaine lettuce for mine, when they got to adult size, my 4 bocourti would eat an entire head per day. They ignored most high protein foods like worms, although would eat occasional insects. They would eat low protein catfish pellets.
 
I'd give the lettuce a shot. The few i used to own killed romaine lettuce and zucchini. Still take the stress of a move into consideration though.
 
Will do, guys. Thanks for the advice. I'll do the water change tonight, then leave him be until Sunday, and then I'll give the romaine a try. Appreciate the advice!

-Rich
 
Turn off the lights and give him a cave. Don't do anything to stress him for a couple of days, you may even not want to do a water change. Fish can go a long time without food, so don't think he will starve. Eventually he will come around once he feels comfortable. Another strategy would be to put in some peaceful fish. When he sees them eating, he might come around.
 
Had leftover tilapia from feeding my datnoids in my other tank, and my bocourti and Pearsei went nutso for it! I am not going to do that again
 
Doesn't hurt to try several things. Mix it up; wiggly worm for curiousity sake, tilapia, veggies and maybe it will start eating. I've heard new introduced cichlid sometimes don't eat until a week or two. Never happened to me, but good luck!
 
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