Help!! Lethargic CK not eating well!!

[_Sushi_]

Ok, I just got my CK on Saturday. He was doing great, except for one thing. She said he'd gobble down frozen brine shrimp cubes without letting them thaw, and I'm lucky if he even notices I dropped the cube in before shrimp start raining down onto his head, and he grabs a few pieces

I built him a hiding spot out of a tank-decor brick, and a plastic feed scoop (which was only used to put fresh sand into my Land Hermit Crab tank)

She fed him every couple of days, and I've been attempting to feed him twice a day. Could it be that he's just not used to eating so often?

I sprinkle a bit of freeze-dried bloodworms and plankton on top of his water, and I know he nibbles a bit of that. But he's not exhibiting any of the CK reputation for horking down everything edible in sight.

Also, when I went to my room a little bit ago to check on him, he was sitting on the bottom, with his tail half-curled back towards his head. Should I be worried about this behavior? Or is this a common thing?

 

[TLkmDN]

he probably has an upset tummy from eating pure ice. next time defrost the shrimp in a seperate bowl b4 u feed it. extreme temperature changes can do that to you. CKs are often shy and unconfident until they grow larger so his passive behaviour seems to be normal. the rule of thumb is that if your fish is still eating, you should be fine. best of luck.

 

[_Sushi_]

they always are half-thawed by the time I feed my cows-I mean goldfish, and get the other 2 cubes up the steps to feed him and my red belly piranha.

I shouldn't be too worried then as long as he's eating?
I just noticed, in the pic I took of him resting on the bottom, he's got a little pot-belly, so that must mean he's full and he ate something right?

I hear about people training their CK to eat from their hand, how do I do this with Loki? I want the bonding experiance, as well as ensuring he's eating properly.

 

[TLkmDN]

i wouldnt try that unless u dont mind getting bitten now and then. but yes as long as hes eating u should have nothing to worry about. i know wat ure talking about, sum people train their CKs to jump out of the water to get food from the hand. seriously not advisable because it encourages them to jump. CKs are already powerful jumpers so i would take the risk...

 

[_Sushi_]

oh well never mind on that, how about I just stick the food in the water and he comes and takes it from me like a good boy? lol That'd be nice!

He's being a little more active, so I finally measured him. he's 10 and a half to 11 inches!! Depending on how much he's wiggling. I'm surprized he got that big in that little tank!

 

[KaraJo]

It could take a week or two to get him to eat. He is in a new tank/environment, so it may take a while for him to warm up. Don;t give in and give him any live food. Just keep trying with the bloodworms and shrimp. Our CK took a few weeks to get eating shrimp, but after that, he was a pig with it!

 

[_Sushi_]

Thanks for the help, Karajo!!

(BTW, I have that pic you wanted....want me to send it here, or over at the LHC?)