Maingano Feeding Problems

[mark7616]

My maingano has decided recently that he doesnt want to eat. He always used to eat the food ive fed him but now he is not eating at all either flake or pellet he is starting to look very thin and is getting a dip in his stomach. At feeding time he still comes to the surface but looks around the food and wont eat it. Any ideas on what is wrong with him???

 

[reiben]

what kind of food are you feeding it? and what else is in the tank

 

[mark7616]

lol flake and pellet and the are other mbuna in the tank why?

 

[Ferris]

Could be an internal parasite or infection, it's very unusual for Mbuna not to feed and the receeded stomach is a bad sign i'm afraid. I once lost a yellow lab with the same symptoms but i have also successfully treated an OB zebra with Interpet anti-internal bacteria med.

 

[mark7616]

can internal parasites spread?

 

[denis coghlan]

can internal parasites spread?

Hey Mark
I've had the same problem with one of my Metriaclima aurora, it just wont eat any of the flake food that I provide. Either Veg Pro of normal flake food. I have also tried real veg but it just takes a bite and then spits it. On the advice on Brewyn I have tried the fish on blood worm and yes, it does eat it and holds it down. I don't want all the fish to eat blood worm because of the cause of bloat, so what I do is, feed with normal flake and when all the other fish have had their fill and become disinterested with food, I feed the Aurora blood worm on its own, Its a pain in the butt, but its better than a dead fish. Hope this is some help

Brewyn said to feed with live blood worm, but I couldn't get my hands on any so I have been using frozen, but it still seems to work.

Ps. I miss brewyn and mammafish, their knowledge knows no bounds!!!!! and I'm sure they would have a far better answer than I.

 

[Ferris]

Internal infections/parasites can spread but it is very rare and normally just affects the 1 fish.

I've also got to disagree with the bloodworm advice tanks (sorry ). Most Mbuna cannot digest bloodworm and it is not part of their natural diet. Persistent feeding of bloodworm often causes bloat, which is almost certain to be fatal. Maingano do feed on invertebrates in the wild, similar to labs so small amounts of krill is OK and is worth a try.