Having some food issues.

[Wharf]

Well I added a WC Exochochromis Anagenys sub-adult and a WC Hemitilapia Oxyrhynchus to my Pred Hap tank. Whenever I add new fish to the battle zone I always turn off the lights, completely change the rock-work, and put my maturing Tyrannochromis Nigriventer in time-out for two or three days in my quarantine under the tank. I do this cause...although he isn't the tank boss he takes the most offense to newcomers.

So d/t the WC fish I addes some NLS flakes to see if they will take food...well they did. I have also been using a little frozen food. All my fish love the flake for some reason...I myself hate it lol.

I'll get to the point. I have fed NLS thera A 2mm for several months before this stocking change. I just bought a new containter and my fish will not touch it now. I don't know if it is because I fed some flake for a minute after the rock-work change or what.

I checked my water paras to see if there was something off...and no...they're perfect.

Question should I just fast them for a few and add the pellet slowly?

Do you think it is because I change the environment and then started feeding something else?

I would feed the flake...but I hate how it goes over the overflow (no matter how far I submerge my hand while feeding) and clogs the sponge blocks.

 

[headbanger_jib]

It seems the change in decor has spooked the fish, sometimes even a change outside the tank can also trigger such behavior, my mahseer got spooked one day when a friend of mine shined his phone light on the tank by accident, took them nearly a week to stop being skittish and get back to being the hungry always in your face fish.


I would feed a little less, and the other thing I would do is, after adding food, I would switch off the tank lights and back away from the tank.

 

[james99]

Skipping a day or two of feedings and giving everyone a chance to settle back in will probably do the trick. I don't think such a short change of food would turn them off of what they were previously eating.

 

[Wharf]

Yeah been a week or so since I changed the environment. I have just been feeding flake because the new fish accept it easier. I was thinking they are either on strike for more flake food or it kind of reset the entire habitat and feeding habits. I even tried some old Dainichi I had around...but I have never had luck with fish taking it outside of Tropheus. Now, that the new fish are settled in and not appearing stressed....I might fast the tank for a few days and slowly add it back. Heck, I might try another pellet...but I always seem to go back to Thera A.

 

[Barleysoda]

I shut my pumps off before I feed so food don't go into the overflow. I have Google home and Google home mini speakers through the house. I added a smart switch to my pumps. Now I just say " hey Google turn off the pumps" then I feed. After several minutes I use a large plastic spoon to swish the top water and help sink any food left floating. I always use sinking pellets but not all of them always sink. I also use flake sometimes but the spoon gets it all to sink. After the top water looks clear " hey Google turn on the pumps". Works great and I can even turn on or off the pumps from anywhere with my phone. Also I can add an auto feeder and have my pumps turn on or off on a schedule for when I'm out of town. I can always check the pump on/off status with my phone. The smart switch was about $20 bucks and didn't need a separate hub has built in WiFi. It has its own app too so you don't have to have Google assistant to run it but Google runs my cameras, TV's and Nest alarm system so I basically walk around my house saying hey Google every few minutes...lol.