|
 Author | Topic: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets? (Read 168 times) |
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://photos.friendster.com/photos/92/95/22055929/1_598333921l.jpg)
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male 
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 |  | my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Thread Started on Nov 3, 2009, 11:59pm » | |
this juvie fh of mine is a good eater.loves pellets!..but since i fed him some live worms,he wouldn't like pellets anymore!i thought he was sick coz he was not eating for 2days.but when i fed him a guppy,he ate it,then i put some pellets but he didn't take it.
is he craving for more live foods?i tried fasting him for 3days but still doesn't take pellets.any advice?
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/images/graphics/avatarfishfamily.jpg)
![[homepage]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/www_sm.gif)
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #1 on Nov 4, 2009, 9:59am » | |
Often withholding the live foods will work for this, but you have already tried this.
Have you tried a different pellet?
Consider one that is high in fish content.
Carl
|
30 Years Aquarium/Pond Maintenance & Research Expereince
Aquarium/Pond Information
Aquarium Answers
Aquatic Information |
|
bikeguy33
Administration
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/images/graphics/billavatar2.jpg)
Joined: Sept 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 1,301
Karma: 24 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #2 on Nov 4, 2009, 4:50pm » | |
that is often the problem with live food. try the pellets again like carl mentioned but also put in a 1/3 of a sheet of sushi nori.....he`ll eat
| |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #3 on Nov 5, 2009, 8:19am » | |
well i was worried coz i thought he was sick.i tried to feed him worms this morning just to be sure.i noticed he was getting weak when eating the worm,he can't eat it that fast anymore.what is the worst case scenario possible?
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #4 on Nov 5, 2009, 10:15am » | |
Nov 5, 2009, 8:19am, danny wrote:| well i was worried coz i thought he was sick.i tried to feed him worms this morning just to be sure.i noticed he was getting weak when eating the worm,he can't eat it that fast anymore.what is the worst case scenario possible? |
|
He may be sick.
Have you noticed any difference in his feces (poop)?
Since you feed/have fed live foods, intestinal parasites are strong possibility.
See Aquarium Answers; Parasites
Carl
|
30 Years Aquarium/Pond Maintenance & Research Expereince
Aquarium/Pond Information
Aquarium Answers
Aquatic Information |
|
goldenpuon
Distinguished Member
member is offline
![[avatar]](http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq297/goldenpuon/213129749_8feb504cb3.jpg)
Someone wants food!
![[msn]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/msn.gif)
Joined: Sept 2008
Gender: Female 
Posts: 2,296
Karma: 23 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #5 on Nov 5, 2009, 3:30pm » | |
Do you have any fish oil on hand? I have not used it (besides with a fish that was way too sick to eat) but I have heard it is great for stimulating fish's appetites. Also, have you tried brine shrimp? It may not have fish in it but mine love it.
Another thought (though it may sound barbaric) is to keep feeding it guppy fry. I have tried it with my bettas when they were sick and they'd go for it more than even their favorite store bought food. Just a thought.
I second Carl on seeing if he is sick for another reason.
Hope that helps.
|
Growing bigger everyday, the goldfish are now eating hands instead of fingers. Soon they'll get so big I am eaten whole... All in the name of the love for food.... |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #6 on Nov 6, 2009, 12:19am » | |
the worst just came true.he is sick!his poop is white,with sudden shaking.i have seen this before,in my angels.and it is not pretty.what should i do?please help..
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #7 on Nov 6, 2009, 12:26am » | |
Nov 5, 2009, 3:30pm, goldenpuon wrote:Do you have any fish oil on hand? I have not used it (besides with a fish that was way too sick to eat) but I have heard it is great for stimulating fish's appetites. Also, have you tried brine shrimp? It may not have fish in it but mine love it.
Another thought (though it may sound barbaric) is to keep feeding it guppy fry. I have tried it with my bettas when they were sick and they'd go for it more than even their favorite store bought food. Just a thought.
I second Carl on seeing if he is sick for another reason.
Hope that helps. |
|
thanks for the advice.but brines is too small for flowerhorns to see.when he was still ok,i did feed him some guppies,adult guppies. 
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #8 on Nov 6, 2009, 12:31am » | |
should i use levamisol again?
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | |
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #10 on Nov 6, 2009, 11:52pm » | |
when i used levamisole hc in my angel(with bloated stomach),it worked.i just pour the right amount into the water.i wonder if it will still work this time coz the angel was eating back then.i sure hope so.any more advices?  i would really appreciate it.
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost appetite for pellets?
« Reply #11 on Nov 7, 2009, 11:32am » | |
Nov 6, 2009, 11:52pm, danny wrote:| when i used levamisole hc in my angel(with bloated stomach),it worked.i just pour the right amount into the water.i wonder if it will still work this time coz the angel was eating back then.i sure hope so.any more advices? i would really appreciate it. |
|
This is the difficult part of any internal parasite treatment, getting the medication to where it counts; inside the fish.
A few suggestions would include a medicated bath with a double does of Levamisole in the bath water and a graduated amount of salt in the bath water (starting at 1 teaspoon per gallon up to 3 teaspoons in the last 5 minutes. The salt will increase the flow of body fluids that can allow for more medication to get absorbed by the fish (via increased "gasping", so this is to be expected and desired).
The other suggestion only works if the fish has a limited appetite.
I have on occasion been successful with large cichlids (such as Oscars) that ceased eating pellets, but still would accept a feeder fish.
I would literally force feed the feeder the medication then immediately feed the feeder to the sick fish.
I only claim limited success, as the sick fish would often not eat the feeder and getting the medication down the feeder is no easy trick.
Carl
|
30 Years Aquarium/Pond Maintenance & Research Expereince
Aquarium/Pond Information
Aquarium Answers
Aquatic Information |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #12 on Nov 8, 2009, 9:18am » | |
thank you very much!i'll apply salt too.
i started medicating yesterday.1st i applied levamisole in the water.then a few ideas my own to get the medicine in the fish.
1st is making the fish "drink" some.1st i dissolved some levamisole in water in a small cup,the i net the fish and made it drink some.
2nd is alike with what you do with the feeders.it is true that although sick,it still can't resist a live guppy.what i did was "bread" the guppy with the meds(little water with some meds in it),it almost killed the guppy,probably from suffocation.i also forced it to eat some of the meds.(please forgive me if i offend someone for this may sounded barbaric)
hopefully it works.should i continue doing this?feeding him more "medicated fish"?should i keep applying levamisole until he is well?i did some water change this morning coz the water became cloudy.i think i overdosed it.
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #13 on Nov 8, 2009, 10:51am » | |
Nov 8, 2009, 9:18am, danny wrote:
hopefully it works.should i continue doing this?feeding him more "medicated fish"?should i keep applying levamisole until he is well?i did some water change this morning coz the water became cloudy.i think i overdosed it. |
|
The water change was a good idea, as Levamisol can be toxic.
I would continue treatment until well, symptoms disappear.
Carl
|
30 Years Aquarium/Pond Maintenance & Research Expereince
Aquarium/Pond Information
Aquarium Answers
Aquatic Information |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #14 on Nov 9, 2009, 12:40am » | |
was "making the fish drink" a good idea?
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #15 on Nov 9, 2009, 10:35am » | |
Nov 9, 2009, 12:40am, danny wrote:| was "making the fish drink" a good idea? |
|
As long as the fish is not injured in the process. 
Injuring a feeder by forcing the medication is one thing, but you need to be carefull with the fish you are attempting to cure.
Carl
|
30 Years Aquarium/Pond Maintenance & Research Expereince
Aquarium/Pond Information
Aquarium Answers
Aquatic Information |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #16 on Nov 10, 2009, 7:26am » | |
thank you..i was thinking,i have an unused syringe,can i use it to inject some levamisole in the worms to feed the fish?
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #17 on Nov 10, 2009, 10:26am » | |
Nov 10, 2009, 7:26am, danny wrote:| thank you..i was thinking,i have an unused syringe,can i use it to inject some levamisole in the worms to feed the fish? |
|
Any idea that gets the Levamisole inside your sick fish without further harm is good idea IMO.
Carl
|
30 Years Aquarium/Pond Maintenance & Research Expereince
Aquarium/Pond Information
Aquarium Answers
Aquatic Information |
|
danny
Senior Member
member is offline
Joined: Apr 2009
Gender: Male
Posts: 201
Location: philippines
Karma: 4 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #18 on Nov 13, 2009, 1:40am » | |
well,so far no good results,although it's not worsening.he is not taking any foods no more,live or fresh.my problem now is how to prevent it to die from starvation.can i force it to eat?if yes,how?
he is still displaying normal behavior except for the sudden shakes and not begging for food.he still flares at his neighboring fish.
i am ready for the worst,but i still wanna save him.
|
i love it when i am able to observe some of the natural behaviors of my fishes.from breeding behaviors and parental care to their predatory instinct. |
|
Carl
Administrator
member is offline
Joined: Aug 2008
Gender: Male
Posts: 3,094
Karma: 53 | | Re: my flowerhorn lost apetite for pellets?
« Reply #19 on Nov 13, 2009, 10:04am » | |
Nov 13, 2009, 1:40am, danny wrote: well, so far no good results, although it's not worsening. he is not taking any foods no more, live or fresh. my problem now is how to prevent it to die from starvation. can i force it to eat?if yes,how?
he is still displaying normal behavior except for the sudden shakes and not begging for food. he still flares at his neighboring fish.
i am ready for the worst, but i still wanna save him. |
|
Unfortunately there is nothing I have been successful with to get nutrition into a fish that refuses to eat (I have tried different methods, but I cannot claim any true successes).
If possible, consider in tank treatments such as Metronidazole or Jungle Parasite Clear.
Although more difficult for a larger fish, a medicated bath can be successfully performed on your Flowerhorn.
In fact if this fish were mine or my client's I would consider this a must. The Methylene Blue in the bath would be readily absorbed to where it is needed most. Salt and Metronidazole should be included as well.
I would use a 2-5 gallon bucket for this bath.
See: Fish Baths
Carl
|
30 Years Aquarium/Pond Maintenance & Research Expereince
Aquarium/Pond Information
Aquarium Answers
Aquatic Information |
|
|
![[Home]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/home.gif)
![[Help]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/help.gif)
![[Search]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/search.gif)
![[Login]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/login.gif)
![[Register]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/menu/register.gif)
![[Search This Thread]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/search2.gif)
![[Send Topic To Friend]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/sendtopic.gif)
![[Print]](http://s1.images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif)
Logged
DeCoral Realistic Synthetic Coral
