Bangii Cardinals won't eat

jdhastings · 08/27/2013, 07:07 PM

I got a pair of Bangai Cardinals over a week ago. They constantly hide in the aquarium decorations and won't come up to eat when I feed them. All of my fish were tank raised on a high quality pellet food so that's what I continue to feed them and they are fine with it. I have a Tank Raised Blue Tang, 2 tank raised Ocellaris Clown-fish, and 2 tank raised Bangai Cardinals, and a chocolate chip starfish. Any Idea what's wrong? How long can they go without eating?

Thanks for your answers!

terrypercula · 08/27/2013, 07:11 PM

They can go a while without eating but I would suggest trying to get then to eat as soon as you can. Do you know what they were fed wherever you got them from? The change in diet might be tough for them to adjust too. I'd suggest getting whatever they were fed and trying to target feed several times a day until they start eating and then ween them onto a schedule. I had one in my 55 and it was out competed for food so I had to target feed it to make sure it ate.

Hokies83 · 08/27/2013, 07:11 PM

Try some frozen foods from your LFS.

If they do not come out for that then id worry.

jdhastings · 08/27/2013, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrypercula

They can go a while without eating but I would suggest trying to get then to eat as soon as you can. Do you know what they were fed wherever you got them from? The change in diet might be tough for them to adjust too. I'd suggest getting whatever they were fed and trying to target feed several times a day until they start eating and then ween them onto a schedule. I had one in my 55 and it was out competed for food so I had to target feed it to make sure it ate.

What is target feeding, how do I do that? I've never had to before.

terrypercula · 08/27/2013, 07:21 PM

Target feeding is a method to bring food more to the fish instead of having them get it. It's used sometimes on corals as well but I don't bother often. I use mysis shrimp and a turkey baster personally but I'm sure there's other ways.

Dissy · 08/27/2013, 08:37 PM

To my knowledge, they don't typically eat pellets, but eat meaty frozen foods, and some live foods.

robotman · 08/27/2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dissy

To my knowledge, they don't typically eat pellets, but eat meaty frozen foods, and some live foods.

+1, i tried pellets a couple days to give variety, my cardinals never go for it, i switch between frozen mysis and frozen brine.

cubsFAN · 08/27/2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissy

to my knowledge, they don't typically eat pellets, but eat meaty frozen foods, and some live foods.

+2

Ciwyn · 08/27/2013, 11:27 PM

I wouldn't give up on pellets. Both of mine eat them just fine. Typically they will only eat them as they are sinking from the surface though and they have to see them. To get them to eat now though trying some mysis shrimp is probably the best idea.

Reef Frog · 08/28/2013, 12:09 AM

Try live brine shrimp if you can. Many fish show a really strong response.

Feeding at dawn/dusk when the tank lights are off but the aquarium is still getting ambiant room light might help. The other fish are often going to bed while the cardinals might stay out. Less stress & competition for the cardinals. Definitely target feed.

Dodger745 · 08/28/2013, 05:20 AM

mine are very picky and will ONLY eat frozen mysis! lol

E Rosewater · 08/28/2013, 06:37 AM

Mine doesn't touch pellets. Frozen brine and mysis only.

SuperPilot · 08/28/2013, 11:34 AM

frozen brine shrimp if they don't eat then definitely something wrong with them. mine when they see the brine shrimp they charge at it like a bullet

Anarchy18 · 08/28/2013, 12:03 PM

I believe they only eat meaty foods, unless your lucky and got one that eats pellets or flakes. /i had 4 and 3 died because I was told they eat pellets. The one left over i feed frozen mysis.

Spyderturbo007 · 08/28/2013, 02:09 PM

My two won't even look at pellets or anything that isn't frozen fleshy foods like Mysis or Reef Frenzy.

My Male is holding eggs right now and hasn't eaten in 20 days, so you have some time to figure out what they will eat.

08/27/2013, 07:07 PM	#1
jdhastings Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 20	Bangii Cardinals won't eat I got a pair of Bangai Cardinals over a week ago. They constantly hide in the aquarium decorations and won't come up to eat when I feed them. All of my fish were tank raised on a high quality pellet food so that's what I continue to feed them and they are fine with it. I have a Tank Raised Blue Tang, 2 tank raised Ocellaris Clown-fish, and 2 tank raised Bangai Cardinals, and a chocolate chip starfish. Any Idea what's wrong? How long can they go without eating? Thanks for your answers!

08/27/2013, 07:11 PM	#2
terrypercula Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 4,354	They can go a while without eating but I would suggest trying to get then to eat as soon as you can. Do you know what they were fed wherever you got them from? The change in diet might be tough for them to adjust too. I'd suggest getting whatever they were fed and trying to target feed several times a day until they start eating and then ween them onto a schedule. I had one in my 55 and it was out competed for food so I had to target feed it to make sure it ate. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: IM Nuvo Fusion 10, Kessil A160, Tunze Osmolator 3155, Ecotech Vortech MP10

08/27/2013, 07:21 PM	#5
terrypercula Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Buffalo,NY Posts: 4,354	Target feeding is a method to bring food more to the fish instead of having them get it. It's used sometimes on corals as well but I don't bother often. I use mysis shrimp and a turkey baster personally but I'm sure there's other ways. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: IM Nuvo Fusion 10, Kessil A160, Tunze Osmolator 3155, Ecotech Vortech MP10

08/27/2013, 07:11 PM	#3
Hokies83 Moved On Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Roanoke Va Posts: 347	Try some frozen foods from your LFS. If they do not come out for that then id worry.

08/27/2013, 08:37 PM	#6
Dissy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 257	To my knowledge, they don't typically eat pellets, but eat meaty frozen foods, and some live foods.

08/27/2013, 11:27 PM	#9
Ciwyn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 118	I wouldn't give up on pellets. Both of mine eat them just fine. Typically they will only eat them as they are sinking from the surface though and they have to see them. To get them to eat now though trying some mysis shrimp is probably the best idea.

08/28/2013, 12:09 AM	#10
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Try live brine shrimp if you can. Many fish show a really strong response. Feeding at dawn/dusk when the tank lights are off but the aquarium is still getting ambiant room light might help. The other fish are often going to bed while the cardinals might stay out. Less stress & competition for the cardinals. Definitely target feed.

08/28/2013, 05:20 AM	#11
Dodger745 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 118	mine are very picky and will ONLY eat frozen mysis! lol

08/28/2013, 06:37 AM	#12
E Rosewater Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 846	Mine doesn't touch pellets. Frozen brine and mysis only.

08/28/2013, 11:34 AM	#13
SuperPilot Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 18	frozen brine shrimp if they don't eat then definitely something wrong with them. mine when they see the brine shrimp they charge at it like a bullet

08/28/2013, 12:03 PM	#14
Anarchy18 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 33	I believe they only eat meaty foods, unless your lucky and got one that eats pellets or flakes. /i had 4 and 3 died because I was told they eat pellets. The one left over i feed frozen mysis.

08/28/2013, 02:09 PM	#15
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	My two won't even look at pellets or anything that isn't frozen fleshy foods like Mysis or Reef Frenzy. My Male is holding eggs right now and hasn't eaten in 20 days, so you have some time to figure out what they will eat.