Fish not eating pallets

[Artt]

Since I got my blue acara 6 weeks ago, I've been pretty unsuccessful at getting them to eat pallets.

I have tried both sinking and floating, they suck on them and spit them out and I end up having to vacuum or scoop them out of the tank. I've also tried soaking them in water first to soften them, still no dice.

The ones I'm current using (or trying) are Hikari Cichlid Gold. I also tried some Sera rearing granules that I had sitting around, they were ignored completely.

They will happily eat my homemade gel food, and any other frozen treats I give them but I need something to use as a staple diet.

Are these brands just terrible? Or are my fish just fussy? What do your cichlids go mad for?

 

[Kittiee Katt]

All my fish eat NLS pellets and love them.
Have you tried soaking them in the "juice" of your frozen foods? Bloodworms, etc. I haven't tried it myself but I've read many success story's.

Otherwise, maybe kno4te , tlindsey or Jexnell can help?

Good luck.

 

[tlindsey]

I suggest stop feeding frozen treat and don't feed for a couple of days. Offer pellet food or mix in with your gel food.

 

[Artt]

I suggest stop feeding frozen treat and don't feed for a couple of days. Offer pellet food or mix in with your gel food.

I'm due to make a new batch of gel food up anyway, I might just throw a whole bag of pallets in and blend them up with everything. I didn't realize I'd have to feed my cichlids the same way I feed my toddler >.< ha

 

[kno4te]

I suggest stop feeding frozen treat and don't feed for a couple of days. Offer pellet food or mix in with your gel food.

+1. Agree with tlindsey. Can also add some Epsom salt to the tank and make sure they are moving their bowels.

 

[tlindsey]

I'm due to make a new batch of gel food up anyway, I might just throw a whole bag of pallets in and blend them up with everything. I didn't realize I'd have to feed my cichlids the same way I feed my toddler >.< ha

Yes they will be eating pellet food and maybe start to eat pellets without the gel.

 

[Artt]

+1. Agree with tlindsey. Can also add some Epsom salt to the tank and make sure they are moving their bowels.

I have epsom salt, I can do that. Don't suppose you know the dosing off the top of your head?

I've just ordered a new pallet along with some fish. The brand is Vitalis, it is more readily available then the NLS. I've see if the food snobs will eat that one