Trimac stopped eating.

[Randys]

I bought a 10” Trimac from COA over two years ago and he’s been happy alone in a 4 foot 90 gallon tank ever since.
I’ve always fed him NLF jumbo pellets every other day and has always been an eager eater until a couple of days ago when he stopped eating completely, although I WAS able to find an earthworm that he took down right away.
I’ve always done a fin level water change with good ‘ol hard well water every week or two always keeping an eye on nitrates.
Is it possible he’s just tired of the food?

 

[tlindsey]

I WAS able to find an earthworm that he took down right away.

How long have you had the pellets?
I'm a firm believer of a varied diet so I'm not really sure if it's tired of the pellets.

 

[Randys]

How long have you had the pellets?

Hmmmmmmm……….you just made me think of something.
I just replenished the New Life Spectrum I’ve been using. I purchased the same food but this time it came in a soft package instead of the plastic jar that I’ve received in the past. I’m sure the pellets are the same but they ARE new.
Could there be a difference that he doesn’t like?

And it’s probably a coincidence but I’ve also got a Bocourti in my 300 gallon tank that stopped eating about a week ago. I’m kinda concerned about him too. But that tank gets a smaller NLS pellet because of the smaller mouths in the tank.

 

[tlindsey]

Could there be a difference that he doesn’t like?

It's possible.

 

[duanes]

In the zone where A. trimaulatus is found in Mexico, there are drastic seasonal fluctuations, in water flow, and water chemistry..
In the dry season, the rivers are placid and slow moving, and often get slightly brackish, with hard water, and high pH.
in the wet season, torrents of rain water from the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, crash down lowering pH, hardness, and flow.
I wonder if trying to mimic some of those natural changes by adding an extra power head during winter mouths, and mixing rain water during water changes would perk up its attitude.
Although the pics below are from Panama, they show a similar seasonal scenario, created by rains from the Cordillera de San Blas.

Above, the conditions in the Rio Mamoni during the dry season.
Below, that same river in the wet season

In the dry season the Mamoni Rio pH averages 8.2, ......but during the wet season, it can drop into the mid 7s.

Dry season left, wet season on the right.
Don't know if yours was wild caught, but sometimes providing these natural fluctuations in a tank (especially if a cichlid is wild caught), are important part of some species health.
When I kept some of the Mexican species like M beanii, or those of the H carpintus complex, I would vary seasonal conditions slightly , by unplugging heaters and blend rain water with tap water changes, and adding a wave maker or powerhead to simulate the riverine flow changes

This also worked when keeping southern South Americans (Gymnogeophagus, and Australoheros), where I would not use heaters at all, and room temps would drop dramatically during winter.

 

[A201]

If the Trimac is just being finicky towards commercial fish food, but readily accepts live food, likely no worries.
Maybe fast him for a few days & switch up the food. Try pellets laced with garlic. It's a good idea to include live foods into the feeding rotation as well.

 

[Randys]

Thanks guys. And Duanes, your responses are always great to read! I've learned a lot from you over the years.

Well, I bought some Hikari pellets and some Candian earthworms today.

He GOBBLED the earthworm and turned his back on the pellets. I think I'll buy some garlic powder tomorrow and soak some pellets.

Just what I need. I finicky eater! LOL

 

[Randys]

Well……..I’ve tried all different pellets but he turns his back on them. If he DOES grab a couple he just spits them out. It’s like the throw if a switch. One day he’s eating pellets and the next day he is not.

But he LOVES the big juicy earthworm I give him every other day. Can he live a healthy life like this? I hate giving up a good pellet like the NLS I’ve been feeding him since day one.