Clownfish won't eat & other questions

johnlocke

New Member
Tank is cycled, params are fine, etc. It's been set up quite a while and has had snails and crabs in there for about three weeks or so.
Just got two clowns... small, less than an inch long. Maybe .75 inches. The problem is that I cannot get them to eat. It's been two days now and they won't go after the marine flakes I am using. They occasionally snap like normal if one floats by, but if it goes in the mouth it spits it back out. I do not see them "swimming" toward flakes as they fall like all the fish do in my freshwater tank.
This concerns me. Should I try other food, if so what? Is this normal (especially the spitting it out if they do get it in their mouth)? And why do they only "go after" the floating flakes if it comes very close to them, and do not seem to swim far to chase them.
I have read so many places that clowns are aggressive eaters... maybe that's not true? This is my first time with a saltwater tank - I'm only accustomed to freshwater fish.
Oh and lastly... if anyone can answer this... I know they are timid and they are hiding in my live rock a lot. There are only 2 in my 20g tank... will they eventually feel safe enough to split apart and explore the tank? They are always together in the same spot, but it does change every now and then.
 

shista

Member
many clownfish eat any kind of flake... but i have had many clowns that didnt eat any kind of flake.... you should try frozen foods... anything like marine cuizine, clam, mysis shrimp, or even brine shrimp to get him started
 

deejeff442

Active Member
get rid of the flake the fish dont like it and it will give you phosphate problems .get some frozen food.if they dont eat that add some liquid garlic to the food.that helps
 

johnlocke

New Member
Can fish smell the garlic or what? The problem is that they just sit in the corner and I worry they don't see/hear me putting the food in even if I lightly tap the lid occasionally when I go to feed. If I put brine shrimp in, I was told they would go for it right away but they seem not to even notice.
Any advice on getting them to go for the food when they are just hiding in a corner?
 
S

smallreef

Guest
If you are using brine how are you putting it in? I used a turkey baster and put it right by where the fish are..
and please try NOT to tap on amything that is attached to the tank... it really does frighten them...
you can try turning off the pumps or powerheads if they still cant get to the food but i think once you put it in right by them and target feed it shouldnt be a problem...
also how much are you putting in? 1/4 of a cube is enough for 2 fish for about 2 days...especially if they are still very small...
 
Top