Issues with Jack Dempsey eating pellet food. Help!

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Condor1944

Feeder Fish
Aug 2, 2015
4
0
1
36
Hi everyone,

I have a small Jack Dempseythat I've had for about 3 weeks now. When I got him, I was worried about him eating well so I gave him a mix of frozen foods and pellets. However, he stopped taking pellets. I have done research and realize that it is a well known issue. My question to those of you who have Jack Dempseys is, what should I do? I have tried feeding twice a day, and if it fails i pull the food out. I think he's eating some of them later when they sink to the bottom. I haven't seen him eat in about 3-4 days. Should I just hold out until he starts to take it or should I give him some food I know he will eat?

Thanks in advance everyone!

Jack.JPG
 
Seeming to be a common problem like you said but don't worry too much. Healthy fish can go quite a while without eating. Personally I'm still struggling with this because I have live plants that mine will snack on...
 
Is it by itself or are there other fish with him. When I got my Dempsey's they didn't eat the pellets either. I put my Oscar with them and after a few days they realized that the Oscar isn't hungry, so it must be food. Either way they won't starve them selves to death. Try and stick with what your doing now until you absolutely feel the need to give them something else. IMO having them break you is not good in the long run.
 
Agree with the above 2 posts....you spoilt the JD for choice...now he wont relent unless you stand strong.
Give him a day or 2 break , without feeding food....provide pellets as staple....initially he wont eat , then when hunger/survival instinct takes over , he will accept pellets.
This is also the right time to introduce different types of pellets for variety.
Good luck and keep us posted
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! It's been about 3-4 days since I've visually seen him eat anything. When I feed my danios he is starting to come up to the surface, look at the flakes/pellets and just let them sink. So is he getting close to being interested in the food?

He is in a 55 gallon with 5 giant danios and an albino bristlenose pleco. I have been alternating between the Hikari, New Life Spectrum, and Omega one pellets. I have been switching between floating and sinking. If I don't see him eating pellets, how long can he go without eating? I want to give him the best treatment possible but the pellet diet is the most balanced. I guess I will continue to give him tough love.

I will be sure to post updates!
 
fishes pick up small tit bits of food fallen at the bottom , more likely when we dont see.
fishes go on a food strike up to 7 days.....then eventually hunger catches upto them.
As you pointed , him coming up and inspecting is a good sign , but hope the danios are not polishing off all the food
 
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