New Crosshatch Won't Eat

[64Ivy]

Got this 4" Crosshatch by MO yesterday and it came in with a pretty sunken belly (hopefully you can see it in the attatched image). Don't know whether this has reached the muscular stage yet but so far, the fish has not eaten this mornings offering of PE Mysis (soaked in Selcon) and Formula One. The 'good' news is that it is currently in quarantine and also it seems quite reactive to outside stimuli at this point. Questions: Is the fish "too far gone, IYO, and if not, what would be the best starter foods for it? Thanks in advance.

[Ninong]

Mike,

Other than some live food, which may be impractical, how about some of this stuff: http://cyclop-eeze.com/ I'm dying to try it but nobody down here stocks it and I hate to order a 5-year supply just for myself. It's a tiny aquacultured copepod that fish supposedly go crazy over. The frozen would be better but even the freeze dried has reportedly gone over EXTREMELY well with just about everything. There was a thread on RC about it recently and everyone who has tried it raved about it.

P.S. -- Considering the size of your tank, you probably could place an order directly through their website. They do sell direct to hobbyists but the quantities are rather large. The few LFS that stock the stuff charge about double the prices you see there.

[zhenya]

Mike,

Other than some live food, which may be impractical, how about some of this stuff: http://cyclop-eeze.com/ I'm dying to try it but nobody down here stocks it and I hate to order a 5-year supply just for myself. It's a tiny aquacultured copepod that fish supposedly go crazy over. The frozen would be better but even the freeze dried has reportedly gone over EXTREMELY well with just about everything. There was a thread on RC about it recently and everyone who has tried it raved about it.

P.S. -- Considering the size of your tank, you probably could place an order directly through their website. They do sell direct to hobbyists but the quantities are rather large. The few LFS that stock the stuff charge about double the prices you see there.

George,

Not to stray away from topic but I just recieved freeze dried cyclop-eeze from premiumaquatics-2 cans but I could have bought just one.If you need it I'll put that extra can in the box when I'll shipp those frags to you. it looks like this stuff can go a long ways and I wouldn't need this second can for quite a while.

Mike,

I would keep offering different type of food enriched with selco and vitamins.
Years ago when I kept triggers I used any type of crustaceans that I could get and they would go crazy for it. Even store-bought shrimp.
I hope he gains his appetite back soon and starts eating becouse his belly looks pretty sunken,like you said. BTW, he's a gorgeous looking fish and when he fattens up....all I can say is good luck!

[kevinpo]

Michael,
Try some raw shrimp from the store. It has worked best for me for finicky eaters. I really wanted one of those but couldn't get the LFS to order one in. Best of luck with it.

Regards,
Kevin

[reefsus]

If you have a lfs around you that sells live brine or blood worms, try those. If he does eat them. Feed him those, then gradually after 3 days to a week put him on frozen. But if he a least eating live food. That means hes willing to strive in captivity.

[64Ivy]

Success!!! A 'combo plate' of chopped fresh shrimp and Cyclop-eeze finally did the trick. And what's almost as good is that I didn't even have to leave the house to get this stuff since, coincidentally, my wife had just bought the shrimp as appitizers to serve a few of her friends who came by yesterday evening. Anyway, since I'm no longer allowed in the bedroom for awhile, I thought I'd post early and let everyone know what finally worked. Soon, hopefully, I can wean the fish over to the Selcon soaked Mysis and get her filled out before introducing her to the reeftank. Any other problems not withstanding, I plan to keep 'her' QT'ed for about three weeks. I'll keep you all informed of the progress.

Oh, and thanks, btw, for all of your suggestions and good wishes.

[zhenya]

Michael,

That is great news !

Thanks for the update.

[Poseidon]

Great news!!!

That is a AWESOME FISH???

I have been using the Cyclop eeze mostly for my corals, my fish don't seem to really care that much.

Did the trigger go for the eeze or the shrimp?

Mike

[kevinpo]

Michael,
Great news!
Try to get it eating freeze-dried plankton also as it has 69% protein which will fatten it faster. That family of triggers take to it quite readily IME.


Regards,
Kevin

[64Ivy]

Great news!!!

That is a AWESOME FISH???

I have been using the Cyclop eeze mostly for my corals, my fish don't seem to really care that much.

Did the trigger go for the eeze or the shrimp?

Mike

'She' went for the shrimp, though I think the Cyclop-eeze floating through the water column suffiently enticed her to eat. I haven't used it since as she's steadily eating Mysis now.

kevinpo: I've never tried the freeze dried stuff but with 69% protein, I've GOTTA give it a go! Any particular brand I should look for?

[kevinpo]

kevinpo: I've never tried the freeze dried stuff but with 69% protein, I've GOTTA give it a go! Any particular brand I should look for?[/QUOTE]

I've tried both the Wardly's and San Francisco Bay Brand and I prefer the SFB. Best pricing is on the 4 oz size. I use it to fatten Anthias sp. when I first get them in as they usually come in 3/4 starved.

Regards,
Kevin

[64Ivy]

Thanks a bunch. I'll try to find it.