Is It Normal Some Of My Cichlids Don't Eat?

[nukeonekitty]

My Red Zebra and the male and female Labeotropheus trewavasae "Thumbi West" don't eat at feeding time, but all 3 seem to be perfectly healthy... is it possible they are just eating old food or algae or is something wrong?

 

[jollysue]

I have something simular with my 12" wild Burundi. I have to feed him one pellet at a time. He will only eat sinking pellets that fall in front of his face. And he only seems interested like every other day. I was going to post a thread, but I think I will see if I can hijack yours instead, nukeonekitty.

 

[nukeonekitty]

eh, it's alright, I just want to make sure other people cichlids are picky eaters as well.

 

[Ferris]

Mbuna not eating is unusual, they are normally very greedy and eat like it's going to be their last meal. New fish introduced to the tank may take a while to settle in and in Jollysue's case, a wild caught fish is used to catching fish for itself so it may take some time to get used to prepared foods.

 

[jollysue]

Thanks Ferris. I have decided to fast the Moba tank for a day or two. They used to group up at the top to be fed. Now they hide all the time when I come around. They are in a more exposed spot, and they are all getting used to new quarters.

The Burundi and I are learning about one another. He is coming out more, since I moved his tank back a little. The Mobas' tank is all wild caught too. But the Mobas were caught as juvies.

I hope your Mbuna get settled and start to eat for you, nukeonekitty.

 

[Ferris]

I can't see a Front not eating for very long - he'll soon come round

 

[jollysue]

The big boy just wants it when he wants it! I skipped the Mobas yesterday, and they were a little more ready today, and the comps are ready eaters, so I fed them. I'm a softy. The Mobas came out sooner, and the comps were on top of it. The shy comp who missed the net and had a rude intro to the carpet was out waiting with the others.

The Bismarks that stayed behind are totally traumatized and barely come out of their cave at all. They really miss the Mobas. I skipped their feed again this morning.

The Burundi is really only about 10" w/o his tail.

 

[nukeonekitty]

Okay, should I maybe fast my cichlids to get them all hungry and more willing to eat.

 

[Ferris]

I wouldn't fast them all for the sake of 1 or 2 not eating, they should eventually come around. Try dropping food in at both ends of the tank to give them an option.

Are the ones not eating new to the tank?

 

[Druchii]

i am always worried when mbuna do not eat, it means something is wrong..

the times i have had mbuna not eating have been 3 examples...

1. Fish holding (obviously with eggs, they want to eat, they just can't )

2. New fish that are un-used to the food type provided, give it time they'll be ok when hungry.

3. First signs of bloat. which then if untreated can wipe your tank out..

I hope it is just one of the first two..

Bullied/Streesed fish can become weak and get bloat, this is cuased by a bacteria in the gut of the fish, the fish refuses to eats, or eats then spits in out, also takes on an 'out of breathe' look.

This fish still excretes which spreads the bug and all mbuna nibble each others poo (bad i know but true) then the bad bacteria spreads to the other fish...


What colour is the poo of these none eating fish then?

 

[nukeonekitty]

The red zebra is one of my original fish, he's been in there for months. THe other two are new... the red zebra will eat and spit the food back out sometimes and he used to be very social, but now he isn't. He spends most of his days in the caves. What should I think? I will watch and see what color the poop is of the red zebra and others not eating thanks

 

[nukeonekitty]

Just fed the fish and everyone ate, but the red zebra! Should I remove him from the tank or what!? Also, one of my male johannis is won't let the other male out of the corner of my tank.... how do I deal with that!

 

[Druchii]

Just fed the fish and everyone ate, but the red zebra! Should I remove him from the tank or what!? Also, one of my male johannis is won't let the other male out of the corner of my tank.... how do I deal with that!

wait and see what happens with th red zebras poop.

regarding the johanni - you got three options

1.rearrange the rocks so there are new teratories to fight over and etablish a different pecking order
2.get some females to get the guys attention off the sub dom male
3.Increase filtration and add more fish ,therefore less likely to defend just against one fish
4.remove the sub dom male,
really your setup is not quite right in terms of male to females ratio from what i remember when i last saw your sig and aggression problems CAN happen when that is not right. Just something to beare in mind.

 

[nukeonekitty]

Okay well I have seen green, yellowish and white poop in the tank, any of these bad or signs of bloat?

 

[Druchii]

Okay well I have seen green, yellowish and white poop in the tank, any of these bad or signs of bloat?

white poo is NEVER good means something is wrong imo