EBJD Not Eating. Advice?

[Bluesandtwo]

So on Monday I picked up an electric blue Jack Dempsey - always wanted one. I picked this fella out as he was the biggest, most plump and engaging at the front of the tank whilst the others hid.

However since I've had him, he's had no interest in any of the dry food I've offered. The platys gobble it up like starving piranha. He only joins the party late when there is a little food left, he'll then take a piece but spit out it into pieces straight after. He'll then go hunting for any pieces on the substrate but do the same.

I've already noticed that he has lost his round belly. Any advice? I'm reluctant to try live foods as I worry he'll then never take dry food. Do I persever or give in?

The JD is about 2 inches, maybe a tad bigger. Only tank mates are 9 platys of roughly the same size. 6 Foot tank with good water stats. He'd been in the LFS for quite a few weeks prior to me buying him.

Other than this, he swims about happily exploring all day and doesn't hide much.

 

[HybridFinatic]

He might feel uncomfortable being in such a big and open aquarium. Give him some time

 

[bathawk]

might just be the change you could try some frozen blood worms when I moved my one from his grow out tank to main tank he hid for about 3 days and hardly ate now 3 months later he is tank boss the ebjd don't seem to like change much.

 

[Niki_up]

When I was raising my ebjd I found that they were picky little buggers when under the 6 inch mark.

if he is spitting out the pellets they could be too hard for him, he could have internal parasites, or he just doesn’t like the brand.

if it were myJD I would be treating with metroplex (if available) and prazipro.

I would also give in and feed him frozen foods like brine shrimp, or mysis shrimp. Personally for me I would rather have a ebjd eat undesirable food rather than nothing. If left too long without food he won’t survive very long (my personal opinion and experience).

when he gets bigger he will learn to eat pellets.

my guy is approximately 2 years old and 9 inches now and he devours the mega one pellets and algae wafers.

 

[Cabie]

Have you tried flakes? Frozen food? I use Omega One's frozen cichlid formula as a staple for my very picky green terror, he loves it.

 

[YankeeJack]

I'd be a little concerned. Especially if you got him from a fish store. I almost always get Ich or something when I get fish from a LFS and treat with freshwater copper safe when I see any of my fish start to act funky.

If he continues to avoid eating and if you see white stringy poo, I'd treat.

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Panic over. This morning he has taken tetra prima and tetra pro colour crisps - hustling in with the platys and he couldn't get enough. He either got so hungry he gave in, or finally settled into the large tank; maybe a bit of both.

I'll look into these omega one pellets you all talk of too. Thanks everyone!

 

[ECW]

Panic over. This morning he has taken tetra prima and tetra pro colour crisps - hustling in with the platys and he couldn't get enough. He either got so hungry he gave in, or finally settled into the large tank; maybe a bit of both.

I'll look into these omega one pellets you all talk of too. Thanks everyone!

Just saw your post and would have told you to persevere. You won that battle. It always feels good! Good for you for being strong!

 

[Bluesandtwo]

Just saw your post and would have told you to persevere. You won that battle. It always feels good! Good for you for being strong!

To be honest, just 1 more day and I think I would have given into live blood worms!! Very happy though.

I want to feed him up well and get him to a monster size - he'll be the only cichlid in the tank and will be the centre piece amongst the various blue platys

 

[Niki_up]

To be honest, just 1 more day and I think I would have given into live blood worms!! Very happy though.

I want to feed him up well and get him to a monster size - he'll be the only cichlid in the tank and will be the centre piece amongst the various blue platys

Wet glad to hear he started eating!

with his little hunger struck you might notice slow growth for a bit, but no need to worry he will catch up again.