W.C. Jumbo clown loaches won't eat!

[Anderman]

I bought 7 Jumbo clown loaches with the biggest around 10 inches. It's been 2 weeks and I haven't seen them eat a thing. I barely even see them so I removed most ornaments that they can hide in. I have tried feeding blood worms and pellets. How long till these loaches come around and stop being shy and hide all the time? They have 7 smaller ones to show them what to do but the big ones constantly hide under everything. I am getting a little worried as I have just over a $1000 invested in them! Any advice!

 

[urboyjay682]

i dont know how to solve your problem...but you sure have you some preety cool looking fish there bro..try to get some shrimp pellets they sink to the bottom and mines love that....

 

[Knowdafish]

Have you tried live brown/black worms? Live brine shrimp? Find out what the person you bought them from was feeding them. What temp are you keeping them at?

 

[Tim]

Have they been treated for parasites?
I remember long ago people used to have problems with large loaches because of worms in the stomach.

They also do take awhile to adjust.

 

[glenngreen]

I would put their hiding places back in, to reduce their stress levels. Then, just drop the bottom pellets in when the lights go off for the night. They will come out and eat in the dark. Soon, they will get braver--maybe. They are shy by nature, and nocturnal mostly.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

live food would probably do the trick as they're "wild caught" at this size- it takes them time to adjust to tank life let alone figure out that their food is just going to come to them instead of them going to their food in the wild.........more hiding spots for them to feel more secure and at home

 

[justonemoretank]

You might want to try cucumber. My loaches love it, and you could leave it in the tank for a day or so without it ruining water quality. It also has a strong smell that might lure them over. This way, they could eat whenever they feel most comfortable. And I'd give them their hiding spaces back. Good luck.

 

[ucng]

yeah i agree with glenngreen. You should give them all the cover the can get. The more hidding places, the quicker they will be brave. they will feel more secure.

 

[FSM]

Try live worms.

 

[Anderman]

I would put their hiding places back in, to reduce their stress levels. Then, just drop the bottom pellets in when the lights go off for the night. They will come out and eat in the dark. Soon, they will get braver--maybe. They are shy by nature, and nocturnal mostly.

The problem is, all 7 loaches went into an ornament and then couldn't get out. I just removed the two ornaments they were getting stuck in.