Help: my dats stopped eating

[beachman22]

So I just moved 3 of my indo dats that are about 3" into a bigger tank (120gal) last week and they have been very picky eating ever since. They used to love freeze dried krill when they were in the 55gal, but ever since I moved them they won't eat anything besides guppies. I even tried live blackworms which they used to love, but they didn't seem to want to eat those either. I think I'm going to get some more guppies for them tonight, but since they have always eaten krill and blackworms, and occasionally bloodworms, I'd rather not get them used to eating guppies all the time.

Also I think I should mention that I tested the water and all seems fine. Temps at about 80F, ph a little over 7. I did about 50 percent water change yesterday and added some salt just to be on the safe side.

They have also been much more active since I moved them. Always swimming around the tank chasing the tiger barbs that are in there, and showing better colors now then when they were in my 55. So what gives? I usually wouldn't be too worried but it's been almost a week and one of them is getting pretty skinny. Any suggestions? Should I just keep feeding them guppies or try to starve them and ween them back on to prepared foods? Thanks

 

[KenyanSandBoa]

Do your dats hit the guppies right at the surface, or do they wait and stalk them in the tank?

The reason I'm asking is because I've had great luck using DMACKS method he uses to wean PBass off of live foods. Check out this thread and see if you have any luck with it.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33661

 

[sma]

stop feeding them guppies and starve them for a little.

 

[beachman22]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Do your dats hit the guppies right at the surface, or do they wait and stalk them in the tank?

They used to come up to the surface to grab krill out out my hand when they were in the 55, but now they wait under the driftwood and stalk before they strike. But thanks for that link. It's very helpful and I never would have found it because I don't look in the P-Bass section.

stop feeding them guppies and starve them for a little.

I think this is what I'm going to have to do. I'm going to fatten them up on guppies for the next couple of days, then starve them til they eat prepared food again.

It's just strange to me because when I brought them home about four or five months ago they ate bloodworms out of my hand after being out of the bag for only 15 minutes. Now ever since i moved them to my bigger tank they have little interest in food. I know dats are picky eaters but is this normal behavior after moving them?

 

[TCZeli]

How long have they been in the new tank? Most fish will feel alittle timid when moving into a new area.

I just put a dividor in my tank and it took my dat a good 2 1/2 weeks to start swimming around regualr again and get his color back

you can try putting some decor from the old tank in the new tank if you havent already - otherwise just give them time

 

[beachman22]

They have been in the new tank for just over a week now. They don't really seem timid, just not eating. They are actually more active now then they have ever been, and seem to be enjoying the extra space. Also I did put some fake plants that they liked to hide in from my 55 into the 120.

 

[TCZeli]

well if they are swimming round and are acting normal, i wouldnt worry about the food. They'll eat

 

[beachman22]

well if they are swimming round and are acting normal, i wouldnt worry about the food. They'll eat

Ya I guess I shouldn't be too worried but I'm just not used to them refusing food like this. They have always been hungry and ready to eat.

 

[Plowed]

How long has it been? They can go some time....imo, there's no sense in panicking and spoiling them with live, you might have a lot of trouble weaning them off live after breaking down and giving it to them.

 

[Datnoid101]

Dats usually take some time to adjust completely to a new tank. Like TCZeli said, the main thing is that they are swimming around and showing stable bars. Besides, sometimes its harder for smaller fish to find/notice food in a new large tank. I say fatten them up one last time with the guppies and starve them till they eat krill again. I starved many of my dats for a month so they would eat pellets and koi spectrum. Good luck!