[eesweet]

Hi All,
I hope someone can help me out here. I've got a 1.5" occellaris clownfish that refuses to eat. I know that can be normal for a few days after purchase, but we're at 12 days and counting now! The LFS tested my water and confirmed there's nothing wrong there, my polyps, mushrooms, anemone, dottyback, and inverts are all doing well, he just won't eat. When I got him he surfed the powerheads nearly continuously, now he pretty much hangs out in the quieter spots and doesn't move around much. He's starting to look a bit pinched, and last night I noticed a stringy white "poop" hanging off of him. He has no noticable physical defects. The foods I've tried include:
-Tetra Marine Flake
- VibraGrow Small Pellets
- Formula Two Frozen
- Frozen Mysis
- Prime Reef Frozen
- Frozen Krill
- Freeze Dried Krill
- Live Brine Shrimp

He shows no interest in the live brine shrimp, though neither did the dottyback (who is pretty voracious with some of the other stuff, quite the predator). Last night I tried the freeze dried krill and he did the same thing as always, swims up to it, open his mouth, and swim away. When I first got him he would at least try the food, spit it out and never try it again, now he doesn't even do that. I don't know how long he can continue to not eat, but it can't be too long. Does this sound like an illness or is it still possible that he's just a wild caught who hasn't adapted yet?

Thanks for any help!
Eric

[Poseidon]

Hey Eric welcome to Reefland!!!

Don't know what else to tell you sounds like you tried everything... Except dried Nori sea weed. You can get it at an Asian food store, my 2 Ocellaris love the stuff ( Kinda Wierd ) as it is really meant for Tangs but its cheap you may want to give it a try!!

Almost everything in my tank eats it, except a blue damsel. That includes Pseudochromis Doiti Yellow Tang Naso Tang the 2 Ocelarris and a Chalk Basslet

if all else fails u can always steam it wrap some sushi and enjoy yourself!!!

[hcp28]

How about trying some clam on the half shell? you can go to a grocery store get some fresh clam or oyster cut it open and see if he'll eat that. Have you tried some raw salmon or other fish? HTH

Henry

[eesweet]

Thanks both of you for your replies. It looks like I'll be going grocery shopping after work today! I have an asian market not to far away that should carry all that you've suggested.

I hadn't tried any fresh seafood as he had refused all the frozen and freeze dried stuff. Maybe he's just too picky for that... Anyway, I'll try all that you've suggested and let you know how it turns out. If this doesn't work he probably only has a week or two left as he's looking awfully pinched.

Also, I went back to the LFS where I got him and they said he might be wild caught, as they sell both that and tank raised...I was pretty sure his tank had been labeled with and O.R.A sticker, but it wasn't when I returned so maybe I screwed up and picked an impossible fish.

Thanks again!

Eric

[lisajulia]

Hi...i know this is a super old thread but i was checking for an update..it actually sounds like your OC had internal parasites. I am going through this right now..mine at like pig and then stopped...stringy white poop though it's swimming well and doesn't appear stressed.