New Clown Not Eating.

slackroot · 03/12/2006, 11:06 PM

I recentley purchased my first fish since setting up a new tank (had to tear down the old one due to moving a long distance into my first house.)

The tank is 29 gallons. It has been up for about ten weeks. The only other inhabitants are some snails, mushrooms, and a gsp at this point.

I got him last night, took a look at him for signs of ick, and did not see any.

My params are all fine, no nitrite, amonia, nitrate, ph is fine, temp holding between 78-79, salinity as well is ok.

Before introducing the clown everything was going swell with the tank, got I introduced him last night, waited a few hours, he seemed calm enough so I attempted to feed Haikati (sorry about spelling) Marine S or 5 (small pellets), and he did not touch the stuff. So i removed all of teh pellets besides on my ric got.

This morning all params were again fine, attempted to feed again and no such luck, as well as my gsp did not open (which I am not too worried about at this point since they are tempermental).

I thought maybe he just didnt like the stuff, so I purchased some frozen brine. Again nothing, he would swim at it like he was going to eat it, and then ran away. So I went to the fish store and asked what they fed, and they advised me they had been feeding flake food. So I purchased some flakes and again nothing. (tetra marine flake btw).

His behavoir seems normal, he seems a little skitish, but besides that alright.

I also did a 15 percent water change an hour and a half before attempting the flake.

So my question is, has anyone ever ran into this? I know clowns are normally aggressive feeders, I am about at witts end after blowing 20 dollars on food he wont eat. Any suggestions? Maybe just moving in stress?

I as well will be monitoring amonia rises tomorrow due to the excess food I was not able to remove.

Also would anyone like to recommend me a good fish? Honestly in my last tank I did not keep one just corals which are my main interest in the hobbey, but my fiancee demands if I invest this much money in a fish tank I at least need a fish. Should I just go with a damsel?? I shall ask your opinion on the absolute easiest fish to keep.

Thanks, and Cheers.

slackroot · 03/12/2006, 11:21 PM

anyone?

TippyToeX · 03/12/2006, 11:44 PM

slackroot

To Reef Central

If she has only been in the tank for a few days I would not be too worried. She is probably stressed and trying to get use to this new home of hers.

If your tank is cycled you should not have any ammonia spike, that should have been well taken care of before you got your new fish.

Clownfish are easy as pie to keep (tank breed, wild caught can be disease prone).

Give this new gal some time alone (no new fish for some weeks). Keep the water quality high and keep your eyes out for any problems that might come up. Feed a wild varity of foods twice a day. Don't overload it! If she doesn't want the little bit you put in, then just wait for the next feeding.

GP · 03/13/2006, 12:17 AM

Give it a little time to settle in and get adjusted to your tank. One thing that you will learn in this hobby is to be very patient.

03/12/2006, 11:06 PM	#1
slackroot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5	New Clown Not Eating. I recentley purchased my first fish since setting up a new tank (had to tear down the old one due to moving a long distance into my first house.) The tank is 29 gallons. It has been up for about ten weeks. The only other inhabitants are some snails, mushrooms, and a gsp at this point. I got him last night, took a look at him for signs of ick, and did not see any. My params are all fine, no nitrite, amonia, nitrate, ph is fine, temp holding between 78-79, salinity as well is ok. Before introducing the clown everything was going swell with the tank, got I introduced him last night, waited a few hours, he seemed calm enough so I attempted to feed Haikati (sorry about spelling) Marine S or 5 (small pellets), and he did not touch the stuff. So i removed all of teh pellets besides on my ric got. This morning all params were again fine, attempted to feed again and no such luck, as well as my gsp did not open (which I am not too worried about at this point since they are tempermental). I thought maybe he just didnt like the stuff, so I purchased some frozen brine. Again nothing, he would swim at it like he was going to eat it, and then ran away. So I went to the fish store and asked what they fed, and they advised me they had been feeding flake food. So I purchased some flakes and again nothing. (tetra marine flake btw). His behavoir seems normal, he seems a little skitish, but besides that alright. I also did a 15 percent water change an hour and a half before attempting the flake. So my question is, has anyone ever ran into this? I know clowns are normally aggressive feeders, I am about at witts end after blowing 20 dollars on food he wont eat. Any suggestions? Maybe just moving in stress? I as well will be monitoring amonia rises tomorrow due to the excess food I was not able to remove. Also would anyone like to recommend me a good fish? Honestly in my last tank I did not keep one just corals which are my main interest in the hobbey, but my fiancee demands if I invest this much money in a fish tank I at least need a fish. Should I just go with a damsel?? I shall ask your opinion on the absolute easiest fish to keep. Thanks, and Cheers.

03/12/2006, 11:44 PM	#3
TippyToeX Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 10,711	slackroot *To Reef Central* If she has only been in the tank for a few days I would not be too worried. She is probably stressed and trying to get use to this new home of hers. If your tank is cycled you should not have any ammonia spike, that should have been well taken care of before you got your new fish. Clownfish are easy as pie to keep (tank breed, wild caught can be disease prone). Give this new gal some time alone (no new fish for some weeks). Keep the water quality high and keep your eyes out for any problems that might come up. Feed a wild varity of foods twice a day. Don't overload it! If she doesn't want the little bit you put in, then just wait for the next feeding. __________________ -Amy-

03/12/2006, 11:21 PM	#2
slackroot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5	anyone?

03/13/2006, 12:17 AM	#4
GP Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Huntington Beach,CA Posts: 154	Give it a little time to settle in and get adjusted to your tank. One thing that you will learn in this hobby is to be very patient.