Fish not interested in food?

[Stuewart]

My 4 red turqs seem uninterested in any kinds of food I give them. All hiding a little more than they used to. But I have added some driftwood for them to hide behind. Are they just bored with what I'm feeding? I'm feeding Formula One Flake and Tetra Colorbits. I know I need more variety. Im planning on ordering FDBW soon. But all fish seem fine other than they aren't eating much. I know they're eating a little bit. Just not much. Opinions?
Oh and the only major change that has happened recently is that I've gone from about 40% RO and 60% tap to 80% tap and 20% RO. Could a higher pH influence this kind of behavior? pH was around 7 or 7.2 and is now closer to 8.0.

[Floppy Fin's]

I would try frequent daily water changes of 50% or more, and siphon off all old uneaten foods.. do this for a week and use FDBW for the tantilizers. They will soon come around I think.. I have one just like that, and now he is eating.
I am afraid he will never get full sized now...too much of a diet period.

[Stuewart]

I'm doing 50% daily before this occured. I'll get an order in for some FDBW though. Thanks

[Kal-El]

Try turning the heat up to 87-88 degree F. This should speed up their metabolism and make them more hungry for food...

[BobDaniel]

Try turning the heat up to 87-88 degree F. This should speed up their metabolism and make them more hungry for food...

I agree, When I got mine from Mike Beals, they wouldn't eat for a day or so...so I turned the temp up to 85 and now they hit food like a school of piranah.

[Poco]

How many do you have and how big are they? How long did you have them?

If you have only four in a huge tank they will be scared and hide. In addition to the increase in temp you can also dim the lights. less light will give them more sense of security and higher temp will increase their metabolism.

[ajoshi9194]

You are well aware of the issue yourself. Just try new food. Should be more than enough. And yes about WC, I guess its pretty much what every1 does, do daily WC. If 50% is out of question, go for 20-30%, it will definitely make the fish happy, and you will see it in their movements.
:)

[Eddie]

When was the last time you cleaned your filter? What are your water parameters (Ammonia, Nitrite)?

[Stuewart]

4 red turqs, ranging from 4.5" to 5", in a 55 gallon tank. Ive had them for around 3 months. I clean the pads on my HoB filter every 2 weeks roughly, and the sponge filter every week. I scrub the glass every week or twice a week. 0 Ammonia, Nitrate is 5 or less at all times. Light is not an issue. Places to hide are not an issue as far as what Ive seen from the time Ive had them. I keep the temperature at 86F and have had it that way since I started the tank. What should I crank it up to? Thanks. I'll try to FDBW soon.

[Stuewart]

Alright well update. I tried feeding with garlic soaked colobits, no response. But I got the fdbw in today and they never cease to be irresistable. They ate, so Ill keep and eye on them :)

[ganesan]

increase water temperature to 32 degrees celsius and if still not feeding try to add some epsom salt to water

[Stuewart]

They're just eating a little bit each day now of the black worms. I'll raise the temp tonight when I do a water change.

[Skip]

Stu... still haven't problems/

[nwehrman]

Steuwart how long ago did you finish the Metronidazole?


Nicole

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[Stuewart]

Yeahhh :(. Idk whats going on with me and discus right now. And Nicole, I did the last dose of metro on august 27th

[Trier20]

Have you tried live black worms? Seems to work for me if I have a fish that won't eat.

[Baygon]

Stue:

You can try using garlic to soak the foods (I do 10mins) before giving them. I used KENT Garlic Extreme and the fish started eating in no time!

Besides that I also reccomend you to do 50% WC daily, raise temp to 86, check sign of parasites/bacteria.


All the best,

B

[Stuewart]

I have not tried live black worms. Id have to find somewhere to get them. Ill leave the tenperature up at 88 for a few more days and see how they react.

[nwehrman]

Stuewart - may have to retreat with metro if they don't come around.


Nicole

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[Stuewart]

Ergh. Alright. They havent eaten like they normally do for about 11 days. They have been eating a little bit though so Im not concerned that they'll starve. I'll add metro today and see if any changes come up. Thanks Nicole

[Stuewart]

I found the problem... Turns out one of my brothers' friends has been stressing them out. He's been tapping on the glass almost every day when I'm not around and shining lights at them, running extremely close to the tank, who knows what else.. You can probably imagine how mad I am at how disrespectful someone can be. I had a talk with him and he should stop. If he doesn't, I let him know, he'll be paying for each fish that dies.