blue box fish

[kga943]

any ideas how to get a blue box fish to eat tried a lot of stuff brine,rods,krill,seaweed on a clip,frozen shrimp, i see him pick at a molted peppermint shrimp shell but they hide pretty good any other ideas

[moriarty]

Live ghost/grass shrimp might be a good option (I'm assuming he is new to your tank) just to get him on track. Don't see too many predators that can resist these!

[Dmorty217]

Live black worms are another option

[gobolts23]

I have had success getting male blue boxfish to eat live mussels. Females usually eat anything.

[kga943]

were do i get live mussels ?

[Dmorty217]

Asian market?

[CedzAquAddictio]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned fresh clams...

[kga943]

so do i open the mussel or clam or will he brake them open

[sc50964]

any ideas how to get a blue box fish to eat tried a lot of stuff brine,rods,krill,seaweed on a clip,frozen shrimp, i see him pick at a molted peppermint shrimp shell but they hide pretty good any other ideas


They do much better in a specie only tank, and smaller ones take to prepared food much better than ones 4" or larger. Females are easier than males in terms of taking prepared food. I've had good luck with NLS finicky formula.

[CedzAquAddictio]

so do i open the mussel or clam or will he brake them open

If they are still alive, I normally shuck them and throw them in. I have had instances where they will burrow in the sand, and live in the tank if I don't shuck them first...

If you buy live in bulk, freeze the rest, they will thaw in the tank, and open automatically as they thaw...

[Winwood]

Have you tried nori attached to a natural looking substrate. I've had pretty good luck doing this with bbf. Also, it seems to help if there are other fish picking at it. I had a female that "taught" two separate males how to feed. It was really funny to watch the female try to chase the males away from her food. Kinda like balloon wars.

[sc50964]

any ideas how to get a blue box fish to eat tried a lot of stuff brine,rods,krill,seaweed on a clip,frozen shrimp, i see him pick at a molted peppermint shrimp shell but they hide pretty good any other ideas


Any update?

[SecretiveFish]

Have your tried frozen blood worms? That is what got my Tetrosomus gibbosus to eat, especially the jumbo ones.

ETA: Woops, I see this is an older post. I hope the fish pulled through!