Jack Dempsey refusing to eat and acting shy

[Elcamo]

Hi, lurk on here a bit and was wondering if someone could help me with my JD. I've had it for 2 years now with no issues in a 125g tank, and lately it's refused to eat anything. I normally feed NLS pellets and Tetra Cichlid sticks, and started using Omega color flakes and Omega pellets too but my JD just hides near the bottom and refuses to eat.

The only change to the tank is a new sponge filter a week or two ago, and the addition of black algae a couple weeks ago. Tankmates are 10 or so tiger barbs, 6 giant danios, a Jurupari, and a bristlenose. Everyone's been fine together for almost a year, give or take a couple danios that jumped and the addition of new barbs to up the school.

Any ideas on what could be going on? I know it's not just that the fish isnt hungry as they usually go 2-3 days during the week without being fed.

JD is and has always been super shy too, but looks terrific and doesnt appear sick in any way.

 

[Aweshade9]

Its random honestly. They can be keep it pristine conditions all by themselves, or with the perfect shoal of dithers and will still be scared of their own reflection. The only time mine isn't hiding like a pansy is when he is in his breeding colors.

 

[Daonni]

Ya as long as your params are ok leave him be. He will eat.

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[convict360]

Did you install the new filter while the old one was still operating? I only mention as a comletely new filter wouldn't have the bacteria colony built up to deal with waste, thus causing ammonia spike etc.

Other than that I'd be watching the school of barbs for outwards signs of disease, if they had parasites they could have transmitted....

Or it is just entirely random and will fix itself

 

[Elcamo]

Nope already had the same two filters I've been running forever still going, added the latest one without making any changes to the others.

One tiger barb is swimming funny but it's been doing that for a week or so and nothing else seems off.

It just seems really weird that the JD hasnt been eating for over a week now, I dont think it's snacking on dithers so I dont get what the deal is. Maybe it's eating my wisteria, but I would've noticed Dempsey sized chunks missing and I doubt that would be a suitable diet.

 

[convict360]

Certainly a strange one, guess the only thing to do is maintain the water quality while no signs are present for disease. How big is your JD?

I got a new one fairly recently, he's only about an inch long lol

 

[jag123]

I agree with what has been said and it sounds like the jack is ok physically. I am curious about the lighting however. Bright lights tend to stress fish and will deter their normal behavior I have found. Plus jacks ime prefer to have hiding places to retreat no matter how big and healthy they appear. This also reduces stress.


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[Elcamo]

Lights have been the same for 3-4 months at least now, I'm running 2 48" 2 bulb 6500k shop light fixtures on the tank. I've had the JD for over 2 years now, and it's about 7-8 inches long give or take. Still hasnt been eating, this is almost two weeks now. Looks a little skinny, but otherwise fine.

Really entering freak out mode at this point, any suggestions on what I can do? The only change to the tank was a brand new sponge filter and powerhead, maybe I need to turn down the powerhead level or something.

 

[Elcamo]

They're so cool at that size btw, mine was in a 55g from 1-2", and it was fun trying to find her in the tank. Used to be super friendly and aggressive, but mellowed out in the big tank as she's grown

 

[JRT8783]

Have u tried any different foods? Try some frozen mysis shrimp or krill, see if he'll take either of those

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