EBJD Not Eating

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H

holidayinn

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 11, 2008
64
0
6
London
Hi All

Last monday I purchased a 7" male EBJD, absolutely stunning. One big problem, he's not eating anything. I've tried cichlid pellets and bloodworm, peas, mussels, a few bits and bobs, but he shows absolutely no interest in food! I knew this behaviour would last a few days, but didnt think it would go on for over a week. Any suggestions or experiences?

Stats are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate registering. Its a mature tank setup, 150 gallon tank with sev's, clown loaches, sd's - all juvenile fish, the Ebjd is the biggest fish in the tank by far. The Ebjd came from a 4 foot tank so has loads more space, it was homed with a GT and an oscar so I'm positive its in a better environment now. The only thing I can't replicate is the previous owner used RO water and used to mineralise it himself and I think he used to adjust Ph as well. I'm using de-chlorinated tap water with weekly 40-50% water changes. Apart from not eating the EBJD seems fine, when no-ones around he's up/down the tank, when lights are off he's again exploring the tank.

How concerned should I be with the EBJD not eatiing? Is there anything I can do to encourage him to eat?

Thanks
 
I wouldn't even begin to know how to force feed a fish, let alone actually try it!

Just be patient, eventually he'll get hungry and he'll eat.
 
Did you ask the person you got him from, what they were feeding him? I wouldn't be too worried yet, like N_B_K said, a fish that size can go several weeks without food without suffering any serious effects. Also, what temperature are you keeping him at. Good luck with him.

Mark
 
Thank you both for your replies.

I did ask the prev owner what the EBJD ate, and he showed me pellets made by Tetratec. I haven't used these yet, but will buy some tonight, I use Hikari pellets and my lfs said this should be fine, when he wants to eat he'll eat. I emailed the prev owner and asked if the EBJD liked any other foods, but have still to hear back from him.

The temperature is between 27-28C. I have heard that most fish can comfortably go two weeks without food so i'll keep an eye on him, hopefully he'll find his appetite.
 
I agree with the advice above... it's normal for a fish, especially and adult, to have a suppressed appetite for a while when moved to a new tank... even more so when water parameters are a bit different...

The probable change in PH have put a little stress on the fish which is contributing to the lose of appetite. I would have done a slow acclimation to your tank (which you may have done), but what’s done is done and any related ‘shock’ doesn’t seem to extreme.

All in all your situation seems fairly normal… If he hasn’t eaten at all by day 10 you may want to start taking additional steps… in the meantime try to get us some pics of this guy.
 
I agree with what was mentioned. Just the introduction to a new tank will cause him not to eat. One more thing that may help. The previous owner fed him pellets you said. Were they the sinking or floating type? My EB's will not come to the top for food. Also I had gotten some mics. fish for my son from a friend who had fed them floating pellets. I have always used the sinking type, so when I dropped the pellets in, they dropped to the bottom, meanwhile all the fish were at the top waiting for food. It took them a few days to notice that the food is not going to be floating anymore. lol
 
I agree I have 6 EB's I use Spectrum pellets they eat them up...But yes mine were all hesitant to eat when i first introduced them to a new tank
 
Cheers for the advice. Today, on the 10th day my EBJD finally ate!! I went and bought the tetradoromin food the previous keeper had showed me. He only had a bit, but its encouraging. Pic (from prevous keeper) attached.

EBJD.jpg
 
Thats great! Nice looking EB you got there too!
 
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