FOWLR, none of my fish are eating!!

chr154k · 09/04/2014, 08:32 PM

I am not new to FOWLR. I just bought and cycled a 310 gallon tank. I have had a small rectangle trigger in there for 2 weeks now so I decided it was time to move my fish over from my 200 gallon. The move went smoothly however it has been 3 days and none of my fish are eating (they are fed daily) all the parameters are perfect. The fish are also hiding and not coming out. After adding the fish the trigger that was in there for 2 weeks died. I'm super worried about my fish as they are not cheap and I am very attached to them. I have sold the 200 already so I cannot put them back. The main fish in the tank are:
Clown Tang
Six bar angel
Sailfin tang
Zebra eel
A few other small fish.

None of these fish are eating, anyone have any ideas on why this is?

kegogut · 09/04/2014, 09:02 PM

Have you tried adding garlic to your food? Do you know what the trigger died from or what you think it died from?

lagatbezan · 09/04/2014, 09:13 PM

Were they eating before? Could be the new addition brought in with it a parasite or something if it was not properly qt. Are there any other symptoms? Shaking of the head? White stringy poop? Cloudy eyes? If so might be flukes.

DoubleM 10 · 09/05/2014, 09:35 AM

have you tried keeping the lights off? were the parameters the same on both tanks?

chr154k · 09/05/2014, 10:35 AM

No I keep the lights on 11 hours and the tank is in a room with a lot of windows (not in the direct light) so when the sun is up it is lit. How would you recommend adding the garlic to their food kegogut? The only big change to this tank is the addition of a refugium with a deep sand bed and chaeto. I also added a huge skimmer to the system. I also have no idea why the trigger died, that is why I am so worried.

kegogut · 09/05/2014, 11:55 AM

Just take some minced garlic and add a little to food and let the food soak in it for a bit and give it to them.

Dmorty217 · 09/05/2014, 11:56 AM

Are the fish out and swimming around like normal or are the hiding and not very active?

pinnatus · 09/05/2014, 12:18 PM

Did you use silicone on your new tank? Some types of GE silicone are poisonous (mold prevention).

chr154k · 09/05/2014, 02:43 PM

I was sure to use GE silicone 1, only had to use it on the overflow box, everything else is custom. I will try garlic tonight. The angel has started eating nori, only because it came unclipped and got chopped up by the powerhead. Usually she takes it right from the clip though. It is like I have completely different fish. The fish are out and swimming around, even the eel is out a lot.

Dmorty217 · 09/06/2014, 07:54 AM

First think that comes to mind when all fish stop eating is ammonia or nitrites

humaguy · 09/06/2014, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kegogut

Have you tried adding garlic to your food? Do you know what the trigger died from or what you think it died from?

garlic is bad news...avoid it...

humaguy · 09/06/2014, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kegogut

Just take some minced garlic and add a little to food and let the food soak in it for a bit and give it to them.

don't do this!

humaguy · 09/06/2014, 09:53 AM

perhaps the tank wasn't fully cycled?

it takes a lot to kill a trig...

JohnniG · 09/06/2014, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humaguy

perhaps the tank wasn't fully cycled?

it takes a lot to kill a trig...

Was thinking the same.

chr154k · 09/07/2014, 11:29 PM

Sorry for the late response, the tank is fully cycled, all parameters are at 0 (after a water change to lower nitrates). Still not eating, why should I not use garlic?

kegogut · 09/08/2014, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by humaguy

garlic is bad news...avoid it...

Why do you say this? Ive used it for years.

inigomontoya · 09/08/2014, 02:27 PM

If not garlic, then you can also soak your pellets, nori in Selcon to help with a feeding response. Maybe also try a different food- I've had good luck with larry's.

lagatbezan · 09/08/2014, 03:01 PM

In my opinion it would have to be something going on in the tank to cause all the fish to stop eating and I don't think garlic or food additives are the solution for fish that were previously eating fine. I would do a big water change and run carbon right a way. If no change then might be some parasite you are dealing with (my guess would be flukes).
Can you post some pics or describe any other behavior the fish are displaying?

alton · 09/08/2014, 03:12 PM

Check for stray voltage, if you are not sure then hire an electrician

09/04/2014, 08:32 PM	#1
chr154k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5	FOWLR, none of my fish are eating!! I am not new to FOWLR. I just bought and cycled a 310 gallon tank. I have had a small rectangle trigger in there for 2 weeks now so I decided it was time to move my fish over from my 200 gallon. The move went smoothly however it has been 3 days and none of my fish are eating (they are fed daily) all the parameters are perfect. The fish are also hiding and not coming out. After adding the fish the trigger that was in there for 2 weeks died. I'm super worried about my fish as they are not cheap and I am very attached to them. I have sold the 200 already so I cannot put them back. The main fish in the tank are: Clown Tang Six bar angel Sailfin tang Zebra eel A few other small fish. None of these fish are eating, anyone have any ideas on why this is?

09/04/2014, 09:02 PM	#2
kegogut Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: St.Louis Posts: 5,052	Have you tried adding garlic to your food? Do you know what the trigger died from or what you think it died from? __________________ Dave. "I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them." --Nicomo Cosca. Current Tank Info: 225 mixed w/ 225 sump 550 lbs live rock,3x MarinePure ceramic blocks,Skimz SM201,Geo 618 CR,Vectra L1,DOS automatic water changes,3x 250w MH w/ 4x actinic T5,All ran by Apex thru Fusion.--57 community tank w/ OR T-247,120 nem tank.

09/04/2014, 09:13 PM	#3
lagatbezan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,109	Were they eating before? Could be the new addition brought in with it a parasite or something if it was not properly qt. Are there any other symptoms? Shaking of the head? White stringy poop? Cloudy eyes? If so might be flukes. __________________ Ryan. 300g with velocity t4 for return and a Reflo dart on a closed loop, T5 lights & SRO3000 skimmer. Current Tank Info: 300g

09/05/2014, 09:35 AM	#4
DoubleM 10 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Steamwood, IL Posts: 1,432	have you tried keeping the lights off? were the parameters the same on both tanks? __________________ Matt Lions, Groupers and Eels o my! Current Tank Info: Marineland 60Gal ReefReady cube, DIY led, Euroreef Skimmer Ins-80, Mag 9.5 return

09/05/2014, 11:55 AM	#6
kegogut Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: St.Louis Posts: 5,052	Just take some minced garlic and add a little to food and let the food soak in it for a bit and give it to them. __________________ Dave. "I have learned all kinds of things from my many mistakes. The one thing I never learn is to stop making them." --Nicomo Cosca. Current Tank Info: 225 mixed w/ 225 sump 550 lbs live rock,3x MarinePure ceramic blocks,Skimz SM201,Geo 618 CR,Vectra L1,DOS automatic water changes,3x 250w MH w/ 4x actinic T5,All ran by Apex thru Fusion.--57 community tank w/ OR T-247,120 nem tank.

09/05/2014, 10:35 AM	#5
chr154k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5	No I keep the lights on 11 hours and the tank is in a room with a lot of windows (not in the direct light) so when the sun is up it is lit. How would you recommend adding the garlic to their food kegogut? The only big change to this tank is the addition of a refugium with a deep sand bed and chaeto. I also added a huge skimmer to the system. I also have no idea why the trigger died, that is why I am so worried.

09/05/2014, 11:56 AM	#7
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Are the fish out and swimming around like normal or are the hiding and not very active? __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

09/05/2014, 12:18 PM	#8
pinnatus RIP Ludinano Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,572	Did you use silicone on your new tank? Some types of GE silicone are poisonous (mold prevention). __________________ - Ken Current Tank Info: 240 gal Fish-Only, 13-gal w/ clowns

09/05/2014, 02:43 PM	#9
chr154k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5	I was sure to use GE silicone 1, only had to use it on the overflow box, everything else is custom. I will try garlic tonight. The angel has started eating nori, only because it came unclipped and got chopped up by the powerhead. Usually she takes it right from the clip though. It is like I have completely different fish. The fish are out and swimming around, even the eel is out a lot.

09/06/2014, 07:54 AM	#10
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	First think that comes to mind when all fish stop eating is ammonia or nitrites __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

09/06/2014, 09:53 AM	#13
humaguy Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Western Ct, NYC Posts: 8,218	perhaps the tank wasn't fully cycled? it takes a lot to kill a trig...

09/07/2014, 11:29 PM	#15
chr154k Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5	Sorry for the late response, the tank is fully cycled, all parameters are at 0 (after a water change to lower nitrates). Still not eating, why should I not use garlic?

09/08/2014, 02:27 PM	#17
inigomontoya Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Houston Posts: 241	If not garlic, then you can also soak your pellets, nori in Selcon to help with a feeding response. Maybe also try a different food- I've had good luck with larry's. __________________ 260 gallon 96x24x26 mixed reef and 328 gallon FOWLR

09/08/2014, 03:01 PM	#18
lagatbezan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,109	In my opinion it would have to be something going on in the tank to cause all the fish to stop eating and I don't think garlic or food additives are the solution for fish that were previously eating fine. I would do a big water change and run carbon right a way. If no change then might be some parasite you are dealing with (my guess would be flukes). Can you post some pics or describe any other behavior the fish are displaying? __________________ Ryan. 300g with velocity t4 for return and a Reflo dart on a closed loop, T5 lights & SRO3000 skimmer. Current Tank Info: 300g

09/08/2014, 03:12 PM	#19
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	Check for stray voltage, if you are not sure then hire an electrician