Jack dempsey not eating

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PanAntV

Gambusia
MFK Member
Aug 23, 2014
107
5
18
North Carolina
I there I'm worried about my jack dempsey. He's active and still pretty aggressive to the tank mates. He is the biggest and one of the most active fish in the tabk. But I rarely see him eating which worries me. He loves blood worms but lately that's the only thing he actively eats. He use to eat shimp pellets, flakes, and brine shrimp like crazy but now he just casually enjoys brine shrimp and occasionally will eat shrimp pellets. I tried switching him from flakes to cichlid pellets. He's getting bigger and I figured that flakes weren't going to cut it anymore. I've tried hikari, new life soectrum, omega one, and tetra. But he doesn't seem to show any interest in any of these. It's a bit saddening. Please list your experiences if you have dealt with this before. I'm concerned about my jack. He's about a year old and the oldest fish i have in my tank. Please and thanks!!!

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Any white stringy poop?
 
"He" looks more like a "she" and I'm having the same problem. For switching food, many people recommend starving the fish to make the switch easier.
 
"He" looks more like a "she" and I'm having the same problem. For switching food, many people recommend starving the fish to make the switch easier.
Mind blown.... had the fish for a year and even named it hugo cause I thought it was a male. Had another jd. Originally got them in a pair but the picture completely outgrew my small one so I got rid of it for fear of getting killed. And there's no white stringy poop from what I can tell. The poop is usually dark brown or a dark red/pink color. I guess I'll try staving him but I wasn't really a fan on that option. How would starving her work? Only feeding pellets? Or stop feeding the tank for a couple days? Then feed pellets? I have a few other fish so I don't want to starve the whole tank.
 
Don't feed. Healthy fish can go quite a while with no food. It was put to me this way... "A hungry fish is a happy fish." Feeding while trying to starve will just make the water dirtier, same with over feeding, that's why I love that quote. Not to say you should always starve your fish, but many people over feed.
 
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Only offer her pellets that you want her to eat everyday (I'm assuming the other fish are eating these pellets). Eventually she will take the hint that bloodworms or frozen brine will no longer be part of the menu. If she is occasionally taking shrimp pellets, offer that every 7th day.
 
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Don't feed. Healthy fish can go quite a while with no food. It was put to me this way... "A hungry fish is a happy fish." Feeding while trying to starve will just make the water dirtier, same with over feeding, that's why I love that quote. Not to say you should always starve your fish, but many people over feed.
How many days should I wait before feeding them again? I've actually never heard the quote. Lol. I might try this but i'm not sure. I'm not a fan of punishing the rest of my fish just because my JD is being picky. Will the rest of my fish be alright without food for that long too?
 
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It's not punishment. Like I said, health fish can go a while without eating, so your other fish will be fine too. Try starving for a few days and try again.
 
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