help! Anthias not eating!

[Jdubbs]

Hey all - I have a borbonius anthias that has been a complete pig ever since I got him about 4 months ago. I usually feed once or twice a day garlic soaked mysis (to which he was always the first to gobble up) and was even eating pellets consistantly for about 2 months. A few days ago (just got back from a week at work in chicago) I noticed he lost some of his pinkish hue and was hiding a bit more. Usually swims about vigorously. He's been picking here and there at some mysis but casually staring at it. I thought it might be due to not performing my weekly water change, did one last night and another tomorrow, or maybe its the heat? Even though I have a chiller, I know he's a deepwater fish. He's quite big and 3 years old, bought him from a used tank. Tried adding bloodworms to the diet today, but he didn't take. I'm going to try and feed multiple times daily and lower the chiller temp....... any other ideas??????? Has this happened to anyone else?? Should I be worried??? I have previously lost a school of dispars who stopped eating as well and I don't want to lose this guy! Help!

 

[prattreef]

I have seen this happen before with Borbonius. Not much you can do that you aren't already doing. Offer small amounts of a variety of food, frequently. Lowering the temp. is a good idea as well. Good luck, but yes you should be worried

 

[House of Laughter]

I have seen this happen before with Borbonius. Not much you can do that you aren't already doing. Offer small amounts of a variety of food, frequently. Lowering the temp. is a good idea as well. Good luck, but yes you should be worried

I concur on temp - once you go into the 80's they get really weird. Try your best to drop the temp if it's above 80-81

FYI - no b-fly's in awhile.

House

 

[tomtoothdoc]

that's unfortunate justin. i had a pair for over 3 yrs. they ate pellets since day one but one day one of them just stopped eating....don't know why. sadly within a week or so it died. that was several months ago, the remaining one is fine. i don't think the temp had anything to do with it. i run a chiller year round and my temp is always 78-79 range.

 

[Jdubbs]

thanks guys for the advice. I lowered the temp to 77 overnight, and will continue to feed. He was out swimming this morning and had a few nips of mysis, but not his usual pig like self still. Ill just continue to shower him with food, do another water change today and hope for the best. He's blatantly ignoring food, but eating a select few pieces. Any other suggestions????

 

[LongIslandAndy]

This is an outside shot but when a healthy fish stops eating I dose my tanks with PraziPro. It is a dewormer and kills flukes also. I have used it in my pond and reefs with no ill effects and have seen amazing results.

 

[Jdubbs]

Is the prazi pro reef safe? Eitherway, since I lowered the temp - he's been a lot more friendly (not like he was a month ago) and he is eating more. I hope to gradually get him back where he was the pig of the tank! Thanks for all the suggestions!