my fish aren'teating flakes

girish1977 · 02/24/2015, 06:29 AM

I got a new 100g tank. It is cycled and all parameter are good. I now have two yellow tailed damsels, one ocellaris clownfish and one percula clownfish. I tried to feed them sera marin GVG-mix flakes and none of the fish are eating it. Damsels are taking a bite once in a while. But if I feed
sera marin granulat then all the fish are happily feeding on it. All fish are active and looks happy. My problem is the granules are just sinking to the bottom and fish had really hard time to find the food. Some times they are not even noticing that I am feeding. Why the fish are not eating flakes and how to make them eat?

Waters40 · 02/24/2015, 06:56 AM

How long have the fish been in there? It is pretty strange for Damsels to not eat flake food (or anything for that matter). I would try some different foods such as frozen Mysis. That usually will get them to start eating.

Dmorty217 · 02/24/2015, 07:12 AM

I would ditch the flake food all together. It provides little nutritional value and pollutes the tank more than anything. Soaking pellets in something like selcon or vitachem or both will be much more beneficial. Pellets by themselves are still better than flake. Another option is to add in some frozen food to the mix. Some fish may never eat flake food, although damsels and clownfish aren't two that won't eat it. Only way to "make" them eat it is to give them no choice and feed flake and only flake. They will eventually get hungry enough and start eating it, or die

Spyderturbo007 · 02/24/2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmorty217

I would ditch the flake food all together. It provides little nutritional value and pollutes the tank more than anything.

I agree with Dmorty217 about ditching the flakes. I feed frozen food and think it provides the best nutrition for my fish. They get PE Mysis and LRF Reef Frenzy. The shrimp and hermit crabs get some Crab Cuisine sometimes as a treat, but they seem to do a good job finding stuff to eat on their own.

FraggledRock · 02/24/2015, 09:54 AM

try mysis and brine shrimp soaked in kent garlic extract. thats how i got fish to eat when i first started a tank last year.

unless they are used to eating flakes they wont know what it is LOL

AirForceAquariu · 02/24/2015, 12:49 PM

So not to hijack this thread, but I have had a similar issue with pellets. I usually feed frozen, but sometimes I like to feed something that I could dispense with an auto-feeder while on vacation so I know the fish are used to it. They seem to ignore the pellets as they since and I worry they just pollute or become hermit food (flake they all eat fine). Any advice on making them more tantalizing?

Tin Man · 02/24/2015, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirForceAquariu

So not to hijack this thread, but I have had a similar issue with pellets. I usually feed frozen, but sometimes I like to feed something that I could dispense with an auto-feeder while on vacation so I know the fish are used to it. They seem to ignore the pellets as they since and I worry they just pollute or become hermit food (flake they all eat fine). Any advice on making them more tantalizing?

I'm just getting restarted in the hobby with a 29g in my office. I work M-Sa and not around to feed on Sunday. My O. Clown and purple pseudo like their frozen mysis for bfast, but would only nip the small pellets for afternoon meal. So, Monday I switched (after no food Sunday) and they took the pellets for bfast. So, make them hungry, then they will get the idea.

AirForceAquariu · 02/24/2015, 01:23 PM

Mmmm I always fee bad doing that, but I suppose in the long run it is for their own good. Better to be hungry for a day and change your pallet then starve if I am away.

02/24/2015, 06:29 AM	#1
girish1977 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 1	my fish aren'teating flakes I got a new 100g tank. It is cycled and all parameter are good. I now have two yellow tailed damsels, one ocellaris clownfish and one percula clownfish. I tried to feed them sera marin GVG-mix flakes and none of the fish are eating it. Damsels are taking a bite once in a while. But if I feed sera marin granulat then all the fish are happily feeding on it. All fish are active and looks happy. My problem is the granules are just sinking to the bottom and fish had really hard time to find the food. Some times they are not even noticing that I am feeding. Why the fish are not eating flakes and how to make them eat?

02/24/2015, 07:12 AM	#3
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	I would ditch the flake food all together. It provides little nutritional value and pollutes the tank more than anything. Soaking pellets in something like selcon or vitachem or both will be much more beneficial. Pellets by themselves are still better than flake. Another option is to add in some frozen food to the mix. Some fish may never eat flake food, although damsels and clownfish aren't two that won't eat it. Only way to "make" them eat it is to give them no choice and feed flake and only flake. They will eventually get hungry enough and start eating it, or die __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/24/2015, 09:54 AM	#5
FraggledRock Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: New York, New York Posts: 2,185	try mysis and brine shrimp soaked in kent garlic extract. thats how i got fish to eat when i first started a tank last year. unless they are used to eating flakes they wont know what it is LOL __________________ “For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.”― Jacques-Yves Cousteau MarineBio.org Current Tank Info: 40 Gallon Breeder w/ Bean Animal Overflow 20G Sump, Mixed Reef.

02/24/2015, 12:49 PM	#6
AirForceAquariu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Boston (Newton) Posts: 358	So not to hijack this thread, but I have had a similar issue with pellets. I usually feed frozen, but sometimes I like to feed something that I could dispense with an auto-feeder while on vacation so I know the fish are used to it. They seem to ignore the pellets as they since and I worry they just pollute or become hermit food (flake they all eat fine). Any advice on making them more tantalizing? __________________ Mike 70 gal w/ 15 gal sump. 1 flame wrasse, 2 a. occelaris, 1 Bangaii Cardinal, 1 midas blenny, assorted CUC, 1 brittle star. Current Tank Info: 70g 20g sump. 1 Flame Wrasse, 2 A. Occelaris, 1 Bangaii Cardinals, 1 Midas Blenny

02/24/2015, 01:23 PM	#8
AirForceAquariu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Boston (Newton) Posts: 358	Mmmm I always fee bad doing that, but I suppose in the long run it is for their own good. Better to be hungry for a day and change your pallet then starve if I am away. __________________ Mike 70 gal w/ 15 gal sump. 1 flame wrasse, 2 a. occelaris, 1 Bangaii Cardinal, 1 midas blenny, assorted CUC, 1 brittle star. Current Tank Info: 70g 20g sump. 1 Flame Wrasse, 2 A. Occelaris, 1 Bangaii Cardinals, 1 Midas Blenny

02/24/2015, 06:56 AM	#2
Waters40 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 299	How long have the fish been in there? It is pretty strange for Damsels to not eat flake food (or anything for that matter). I would try some different foods such as frozen Mysis. That usually will get them to start eating.