new 18in mono not eating that much HELP please!!!

[arowfan]

So I purchased an 18in mono male from a member on this site about 2 months ago...I believe his ph was about 6.4ish (low 6's) and mine was/is 7.4ish (not sure if this can be the reason-I did a drip that took about an hour ...this guy is not eating that much at all-he maybe eats like 5 massivore pellets every 3-4 days that's it!!! and only shows that he's interested every 3-4 days...the member said that he is not a big eater.. I want to say he is 2 years old. The member told me to try prawn, but I haven't-def will or silversides yet...however I have tried live shinners (and frozen ones-assuming that's close to a silversides right?) with no luck-he scooped up a live one, and then spit it out-going to check if it was fed live before....I'm trying anything to get this guy to eat!!!
can someone please help me out here with any ideas...my levels are pretty much perfect across the board

Thanks for any advice on this one!!!

 

[FunWow!]

If hes nice and fat and not acting strange i would just give him time. Fish in new enviroments can be a real pain.

 

[jefferymoorhead]

Time is the key. He has to adjust to the new enviornment. My Tem wouldnt eat very much the first month or so. I was feeding my pacu hotdogs when i noticed the tem scopping a peice out. After he ate the hotdog he started eating everything i put in the tank and then some.

 

[HULON]

If hes nice and fat and not acting strange i would just give him time. Fish in new enviroments can be a real pain.

X2 but i tell ya P's can be picky doods sometimes i changed the brand of tilapia i was buying and it seemed a week before they were hitting hard again like they were not quite sure ....

 

[gangster]

Give him some time as stated. If he's eatn pellets then sweet. Let him adjust.

 

[oscarfishguy]

Give him some time as stated. If he's eatn pellets then sweet. Let him adjust.

x2
If he's eating pellets every few days you're OK. His appetite will increase as he gets acclimated.

 

[arowfan]

Thats the thing though guys...he is eating yes, but he def lost weight and is noticably skinnier then from when I got him 2 months ago...I just heard back from the previous owner, he used to power feed him twice a day, he said that he was eating like 50-70 massivore pellets every other day before I bought him...now that I have him he eats like 5-6 every 3-4 days!!! WTF
can ph be a factor here, I feel like it can be...I believe he used to be in 6.4ish ph before, and now he is in 7.4ish at my house...

 

[gangster]

HOw often do you do wc's and how much? What temp do you keep your tank at?

 

[arowfan]

well lately I've been doing 1, sometimes 2 water changes a week, about 30-35% if twice a week...40% if only once ...I've been keeping the temp at 84 degrees...he's breeding right now with the female and she just dropped eggs again today!
Arggg..I need this guy to eat! lol
thank you everyone for responding-is there a good safe way to drop the ph slowly in the tank?

 

[oscarfishguy]

well lately I've been doing 1, sometimes 2 water changes a week, about 30-35% if twice a week...40% if only once ...I've been keeping the temp at 84 degrees...he's breeding right now with the female and she just dropped eggs again today!
Arggg..I need this guy to eat! lol
thank you everyone for responding-is there a good safe way to drop the ph slowly in the tank?

I'm surprised he is spawning considering the weight loss and decreased appetite. I think you'll be fine. I wouldn't worry about the PH either bc if they are breeding, conditions must be perfect just the way they are.