Harlequin Tusk

[rawbomb]

I have a new tusk i got 2 days ago. He is swiming to and from and then lies on the ground, he hasnt eaten since i got him though he looks very fat. Anyone have any advice im starting to get worried seeing him just lieing there. plase give me any advice you might have.

[asnatlas]

Maybe take a look in the forum below...

Marine Fish Forums > Reef Fishes (http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=88)

Also the http://reefcentral.com/forums/images/top_search.gif (http://reefcentral.com/forums/search.php?s=) button can be your friend...

[Aescleah]

ok asnatlas what a snotty little post yeah maybe he could look around a bit but the man is worried about his fish.

i am sorry rawbomb i can not say i have had much experience with tusks i never had one lol they are expensive

Ashley

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7314006#post7314006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Aescleah
ok asnatlas what a snotty little post yeah maybe he could look around a bit but the man is worried about his fish.

i am sorry rawbomb i can not say i have had much experience with tusks i never had one lol they are expensive

Ashley

Umm, ok... I don't see how my post was snotty... I was just telling him incase he was not aware of those areas... He would prob get a better response to his reply if he posted in the forum that was more fish specific and incase he didn't try already he could use the search for other threads on "Harlequin" or "fish not eating"...

[XtrmCHoPZ]

To ACTUALLY answer your question....dont be worried yet. a couple days isnt that bad for a fish not to eat. Especially tusks, they can be difficult. The ones I have had only ate or went after really "fresh" foods. THey like crustacean flesh and fresh fish, preferably non-oily white fish, they love salmon in my experience but it can cloud up a tank real quick. Also try some PE mysis. If nothing else works try to add garlic or other taste enhancers and hope he eats!

[rawbomb]

yeah he is still in hiding so im going to try and spot feed him a bit. He is a beautiful and expensive fish so you could understand how i might be a little worried. He is just swimming around and then he lays on the sand for a while and then does it again which is not behavior im use to my fish having.

[mile sq. reefer]

Before you purchased the Tusk did you observe this behavior at the LFS and did you request to see them feed the fish? Also how long did the LFS have this particular specimen and was it quarantined?

[rawbomb]

i Saw him eat and i know big als quarentines all fish. He looks very health just acting a little wierd and isnt eating yet. I got him on wednesday so today is day 3.

[rawbomb]

He also was at Big Als for about a week or so. Ive been told by a few other friends who have them that they are prone to not acclimating well and might hide and just lay on the sand for a week or so. He also doesnt have any other fish bothering him since he is the bigest in the tank and the closest to his size, my blue hippo tang is a sissy.

[deansreef]

mine was eating right away, they tend to stay in the rock work, they are not in the open very much, i have had my austrailain tusk for almost a year and his behavior has stayed the same

[rawbomb]

what is yours eating?

[rawbomb]

i finaly got him going with some live feeder shrimp. Once he is confortable ill switch him to frozen again.

[Silicone]

As long as he's not ill then its probably just a stress thing. In time he will eat almost anything - mine is an absolute pig and will eat anything including flake.

[rawbomb]

yeah i think he is just a little stressed. He doesnt have any marking on the outside of his body and i know that they quarantine at Big Als before they are sold.