Help my new flowerhorn won't eat!

[Lynsey]

I have had my new Thai Silk shortbody flowerhorn for about a month now. He is about 5" and fat. He will eat everything but pellets. I have him in an aquaponics system and would like to be able to feed him some pellets. Everyone has said to not feed him for a few days and then he will eat the pellets. I starve him for like 2 days and then he still won't eat the pellets, then I give in and feed him bloodworms, brine shrimp, beef heart, or meal worms. He eats them fine. How long should I starve him to get him to eat pellets? I don't want to harm him. Also, can someone recommend some pellets that they do like. I have tried Hikari cichlid gold, and Alife flowerhorn.

Thanks!

 

[the animal guy]

I recommend Grand Sumo.

 

[Rosemead626]

starving him for a week wont harm him if healthy, it will probably make his kok and aggression even more.try starving him for a week and if he still doesnt eat, soak the pellets in the bloodworm juice and gradually water down the juice until he eats it by itself.I like grand osaki,its a new pellet but doesnt have any hormones and makes my fish looks healthier and have better colors.goodluck

 

[Lynsey]

Thanks, he is super fat and healthy, I just am a chicken in starving him that long, I love him so much . Thanks for the advice. I will try that food in some juice. Great idea. Don't know why I didn't think of it!!! I have an outdoor cichlid pond and they eat everything, I am not used to a fish being so picky.

Thanks again.

 

[DDK]

Thanks, he is super fat and healthy, I just am a chicken in starving him that long, I love him so much . Thanks for the advice. I will try that food in some juice. Great idea. Don't know why I didn't think of it!!! I have an outdoor cichlid pond and they eat everything, I am not used to a fish being so picky.

Thanks again.

Dont give in lol I had three failed attempts with my arowana... Wouldnt take pellets so i starved her for a week and i gave in giving her blood worms. Tried agian a couple weeks later and starved her for two weeks and i gave in once again with bloodworms. One day i got so pissed she wouldnt take pellets i decided "eat the pellets or die", the starving lasted a month lmfao. She didnt give a two flying F's if she didnt eat but she gave in eventually.