JD not eating...

[biguebs]

My 9" JD that I have had for about 6 years now (rescued from a friend in college who had him for about a year before that and then didn't want him) has recently stopped eating.

He used to eat like a pig, literally anything that went into the tank. He would be waiting/begging, then gulp down whatever I dropped in (usually his staple pellets). Now, he continues to beg, but doesn't eat anything when I drop it in.

There have been no changes to his setup or tankmates (he is in a 125 gal). He still appears 100% healthy... but just doesn't seem interested in the food. Is he just getting old or something?

I'm going to test the water parameters when I get home from work, but I every time I have ever tested the water in that tank it has been perfect.... any thoughts?

 

[Aquanero]

Before we assume he's sick, have you checked the water temp? What is it? Sometimes increasing the temp will kick the fishes metabolism up a notch and get it eating again. I've seen instances where the heater stopped working and this has happened. Check that first. How long has it been since it ate?

 

[biguebs]

Before we assume he's sick, have you checked the water temp? What is it? Sometimes increasing the temp will kick the fishes metabolism up a notch and get it eating again. I've seen instances where the heater stopped working and this has happened. Check that first. How long has it been since it ate?

I actually checked the water temp last night because I usually do a daily check on my 3 tanks to make sure heaters haven't been rammed into malfunctioning by any of the crew. It was 73.5 F, right where I have kept it for a long time. I will try bumping the temp/his metabolism up, thats actually a very good idea.

He will take a pellet or two every so often, but I noticed his severely decreased appetite about two weeks ago. And it wasn't a gradual decline, he went from pig to no appetite literally overnight.

 

[Pandamania]

What are his tank mates? Just asking because my JD suddenly became aggressive and ate one of my Yo yos. She didn't eat again until about 3 to 4 days later. She seems ok now though, eating like a piggy again - in her own tank though.

 

[biguebs]

What are his tank mates? Just asking because my JD suddenly became aggressive and ate one of my Yo yos. She didn't eat again until about 3 to 4 days later. She seems ok now though, eating like a piggy again - in her own tank though.

He's actually living with a couple of turtles (RES and a hiero river cooter, both 4-5" SCL) that I had when I adopted him from my buddy in college. The JD established himself as dominant immediately, and has held that position on the totem pole for the last 6 years. He's never even had a fin nip.