Small Picasso Help

[d9sccr]

I just picked up a pair of small picassos the other day. Each are 1.5-2 inches long. The only thing I have been able to feed them are brine and Spectrum Small Fish Formula. I tried PE mysis, but they seem to be too big for the clowns to eat. They took no interest in small cut shrimp and squid. I know that brine isn't very nutritious so I don't want to keep them on it. The problem with the Spectrum is that I have to load the tank w/ it for them to pay any attention to the food. I am worried about my tank params if I continue this. Any suggestions? Garlic? Different food?

Sorry for the novel

[d9sccr]

BTW, everything else is fine. They don't seem to have labored breathing and even hosted in a RBTA anemone w/in hours of it being placed in the tank.

[myxsptlk]

flake food?

[d9sccr]

I've never been a fan of flake food, but have others had success? If so, what kind?

[basser1]

When my Picassos were small, I fed them Omega One Marine Flake Food with Garlic. I would take a pinch and crumble it between my fingers so it would be small enough for them to eat. They still eat the flake food after a year and a half You may also want to try the Hikari brand of frozen mysis, it's a lot smaller than the PE mysis.

[d9sccr]

Is it Omega One w/ garlic or are you saying the garlic was separate? I'll try them both though. Thanks for the help.

[basser1]

It's the Omega One with Garlic, it comes in a yellow can. ;)

[d9sccr]

Do you think that it would be okay to buy garlic and the omega separately so that I can also use it with mysis and whatever other frozen foods I may try?

[basser1]

Personally, I've never tried it, I think it could get a little messy!

[michellejy]

When I first got my clowns, they were tiny. I fed them frozen Formula Two. It comes in cubes, but obviously the cubes are way too big for the clowns to eat. I gave them probably 1/6 of a cube a couple times a day using a turkey baster. Even the 1/6 was too large for them though, so I'd let it thaw out a bit and then smash it up between the teeth of a butter knife. I know it sounds weird, but the little chunks between the teeth of the knife were the only thing small enough for them to eat at the time. (As I said, they were tiny.)

[sugartooth]

If you find it, Hikari Marine 'S' pellet was the preferred food for my picasso's until they got to know other types of food.
I got it at PetSmart but should be available at most stores.

[fishkid6692]

cyclopeeze, mysis, flake food, and garlic all mixed together.

[d9sccr]

Okay, thanks guys. I'll try some it tomorrow and see what happens

[t5Nitro]

I'm glad you got yours to eat. My new ones are take and spit. :( Day 2.

[kerusso316]

Massago ....Salt water smelt roe works great for picky eaters until they get settled in.Massago is the orange roe that come on alot of shusi.It can be found at most orintal grosery stores.

[d9sccr]

FWIW, I was able to get my picassos to start eating well. I bought San Francisco Bay Brand mysis b/c I couldn't find the Hikari stuff. They normally will eat that but if I'm having any problems I've been adding a liquid garlic enriched w/ HUFAs(don't remember brand but can post later if you need)

[basser1]

That's good new Andrew! Want to keep those guys "fat & happy"!

[d9sccr]

yeah. I'm pretty excited they're finally eating well. Where in Southern Indiana? I'm from a town near Kokomo but I'm going to school down here in Miami.

[basser1]

I'm in Evansville. Bet you're really liking Miami this time of year! Too bad the Colts went down, maybe next year!

[d9sccr]

Yeah, no kidding. Not many people here share our feelings bout the Colts. It is nice down here. Are there many fish stores down there? Around us there was a dec on in Lafayette and a dec one in Marion plus Premium Aquatics, but that was really it. Just wondering what's down south.