Poling

We are beginners and have set up a 180 litre tank with live rock about 5 weeks ago. Our fish supplier has let us buy fish and informed us which type, so as to keep a harmonious environment. Among our fish we bought 2 Banggai Cardinal fish. They were fine for the first 10 days however, over the last 48 hours they are both refusing to feed (flake as well as shrimp) and are hiding in the bottom corner of the tank looking very sorry for themselves. We can see no marks or colour change and note that they have not been bullied or stressed out by any other fish. We have changed 10% of the water and are doing regular checks and the water readings and temp are perfect. We are at a loss as to what is wrong with them. All our other fish are doing so well. Is this normal? Can some kind soul help us?
Many thanks

Lynn

Newtankdude

Hmmmm....sorry I can't help, I don't have experience with Banggai Cardinals, let alone any Cardinals.

Mike

The ones that I've kept by themselves (banggai only tank) have been a challenge when introducing foods, especially flake food. I started with frozen cubes (thawed before feeding) of brine shrimp and the other frozen marine preparations. Didn't have too much of a problem getting them to eat the frozen stuff.

The banggai's that I've kept with other fish in a community tank have started eating eariler and easier - perhaps they watch the other fish go after the flakes and they soon do it too. Keep trying small amounts of the frozen foods and once they start eating that, a couple days later start trying to get them on flakes and maybe even marine pellets.

More info: Banggai Cardinal Fish

Mike

agsansoo

Poling,
I think that you should take into account the fish's natural diet of copepods and small crustaceans. I'd try purchasing or growing some live copepods, Mysid shrimp, or amphipods. Try some of it's natural food items frozen, if you can't find the live ones. You may see them come around. This is a very "young" tank, possibly environmental stress. Young tanks are not very stable. Change their diet, and I bet your fish will eat again.

agsansoo

I answered on other thread !
http://www.fishlore.com/Forum/saltwa...al-fish.0.html
Hope this helps !!!

Mike

Merging similar posts...

Poling - Please only post a topic once.

Thanks,
Mike

Poling

Thank you sooo much for your kind replies and sorry Mike, being new to this site I did not know about mulitple postings, won't do it again. I am just about to look up 'New tank syndrome' and I have made a note of the live copepods, Mysid shrimp and amphipods and will visit my suppliers later today. I will let you guys know how I get on. I must say it is great being able to talk to other fish lovers and getting advice from people who care and not just the people who are trying to sell you something.
Have a brilliant day

Lynn

agsansoo

Lynn,
Another good food to feed them that I forgot to mention is frozen cyclop-eeze. Everything goes crazy in my tank when I feed them this ! (http://www.cyclop-eeze.com)

Andy