[mikeb3rdid]

I have recently acquired a Buccochromis cf. Spectabilis, he doesn't seem to want to eat the Cichlid Pellets we have always fed. We feed with both large and small pellets, but he shows no interest. Any advise or ideas?

 

[DanniGirl]

How long have you had him? (How long has he been in the tank?)

 

[mikeb3rdid]

We've had him about 3-4 days.

 

[DanniGirl]

Awe ok.
IMO, he's still getting used to his environment. I'd give him a week to settle in and by then, he should start eating like a pig. :thumb:

But...a couple of more questions, (People are going to ask them anyway so might as well ask now, LOL!)
Besides not eating, is he acting normal? Does he spit out the food? How long has the tank been set up? How large is the tank? Are there any tank-mates? -If so, what?

 

[mikeb3rdid]

He's not taking in any food to spit out. We feed New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula and he just doesn't seem interested in food at all.The tank has been set up for about 3 years and is a ninety with a cascade 1200 canister filter. His tank mates include: Livingstoni, Iceberg Ahli, EB Ahli, (2) Venustus, Lithobate, Sp. 44, Yellow Lab, M/F Red Empresses, Ob Peacock, Taiwan Reef, Compressicep, OB Zebra, Cobalt, Acei, Red Fin Borleyi, Rusty, and a Lab/Zebra hybrid, and two small ones that we have no idea what they are.

 

[DJRansome]

I'd wait. My 8" borleyi did not act thrilled about being fed for a month or more.

 

[mikeb3rdid]

He's acting fine, and we have no fighting in the tank, it is surprisingly peaceful! Thanks to all for the advice and we'll just watch him and hope he adapts.

 

[DanniGirl]

He's acting fine, and we have no fighting in the tank, it is surprisingly peaceful! Thanks to all for the advice and we'll just watch him and hope he adapts.

I'm sure he will! :thumb:
Like DJ, I've had fish take a while to become accustomed to their environment as well. :wink:

 

[gverde]

I had fish that didn't eat for a 7-10 days when introduced to the tank. My large Jack Dempsey didn't eat for 3 weeks when he was introduced to the tank and he was the dominant fish and still is the dominant fish to this day. They will eat eventually when they get accustomed to the tank. When females hold, they won't eat for at least 3 weeks, so I wouldn't worry about it. When they get hungry enough they will eat as long as they are not competing for the food.

 

[Fogelhund]

Tank Raised or Wild Caught?

 

[mikeb3rdid]

This particular fish was purchased from a dealer nearby and I believe he is a tank raised fish.

 

[Fogelhund]

It is pretty normal for wild fish to take time to adapt... Tank raised usually less. Why not drive by the dealer and explain the circumstances and ask what they were feeding the fish. Perhaps it was something completely different and the fish isn't used to your food yet?

 

[CadillacsCowgirl]

We are feeding it the exact same food as the dealer... right down to even the same size.

 

[mikeb3rdid]

We've purchased a couple other fish from them, and they feed the same food we do, New Life Spectrum Cichlid Pellets.