New Clown Not Eatting

[sin]

I just got a clown fish yesterday. I acclimate him or her and put it in the tank. I feed it flake food and it did not eat. I feed it today and it did not eat either. It just stays in one spot it swimms forward a littile bit and back next to the intake of my hob filter. Is this normal for a clown fish in a new tank. I was told it might eat every 3 days thats why it is not eatting :notsure:

 

[debbie]

Don't worry, they need to get use to their new surroundings. When I bought my new yellow tail damsel it did not eat for the first 4 days. Now it will not stop, they just need time to adjust. Is this the only fish in your tank?
Deb

 

[bigarn]

It's normal behavior ... feed him every day or two (small amounts to start) Once he feels comfortable enough, and hungry enough he'll eat like there's no tomorrow.

 

[sin]

yes this is the only fish in my tank right now but i will be getting 2 more tomorrow

 

[kdfrosty]

I would ay that this is normal, but if it goes on for longer than a few days you might try soaking it's food in garlic. Kents Garlic Extreme, fresh garlic juice, etc.

 

[monalisa]

Sin,
When did you get the clown? Before putting new fish into a tank with a clown that isn't eating properly yet, I would wait with the new additions. Let him get acclimated to the new environment and let him get comfy...patience...
So, how did you acclimate him to your tank, just curious...
Good luck with the little guy.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[sin]

Originally Posted by MonaLisa
Sin,
When did you get the clown? Before putting new fish into a tank with a clown that isn't eating properly yet, I would wait with the new additions. Let him get acclimated to the new environment and let him get comfy...patience...
So, how did you acclimate him to your tank, just curious...
Good luck with the little guy.
Lisa :happyfish
this is the only fish in the tank. I acclimate the clown by floating the bag it came in in the tank and adding 1/2 of a cup of water from my tank in the bag every 4 min in till the bag was full then poured 1/2 of the bag out and did it all over again in till it was full then i net the clown out and put it in the tank. That was the acclimation guide that was sent with the clown

 

[drew2005]

Originally Posted by sin
yes this is the only fish in my tank right now but i will be getting 2 more tomorrow

Congrats on the new addition. However you should wait at least 3 weeks before adding anything new. You need to let each addition get used to its surroundings. Adding too many fish at once may cause too much stress.

 

[sinner's girl]

1. wait at least 2-4 weeks before adding new fish, esp for a new tank. Adding new fish will cause stress to you fish and to your tank.
2. What kind of flake food? Most flake food isn't good for swf, try frozen brine shrimp or other swf foods. Ask what the lfs fed him.
3.you acclimated him too fast. You can do the 1/2 method, but it's every 20-30min, not every 4 mins, that doesn't give the fish much time to be acclimated the new water.
It's normal for a fish not to eat right away, but stress will also cause him not to eat. Don't add any fish right now, that will cause more stress. Were your lights off for 24 hours when you acclimated him?
Click on the left and read swf.com's acclimation process.

 

[sin]

yes the lights were off

 

[4fun]

Sin, I had a problem with a Gold Stripe Clown not eating for a week! Tried everything and finally someone on the board suggested Live Brine Shrimp. That was what she wanted, now she pretty much eats what ever I put into the tank. Just a suggestion. Good Luck!

 

[monalisa]

Sin,
Maybe you would benefit from reading the acclimation portion of this thread. That's not to say that you didn't acclimate your little guy right, but the drip method really works great

.
Also, it would also be beneficial to your new little guy if you would take your time and wait at the very least, 2 weeks before putting any new neighbors in for him. Give him some time. I hope he's okay, Sin. Let us know, 'kay?
Lisa :happyfish

 

[nanoreef]

give him some time
try some cyclop-eeZe