Why isnt my fish eating?

Question

Hi i just got a new aquarium and fish and my pearl gourami is hiding behind the heater and isnt eating. I read that they will do this if they have overly aggressive tank mates but the only other fish i have in the aquarium is a bamboo shrimp but they are very peaceful and dont even have claws to attack other fish. My aqarium is 29 gallons and the temperature is around 80 degrees

Answer 1

How old is your tank… if it hasn’t been cycled properly it night be wrong conditions for the fish. Have you tested your water?
Also gouramis are actually very sensitive. They need practically perfect conditions in order to survive. the difference in the PH from the tank at the store and your tank might to too much for it. Ph stress may lead to death within a week or so. The way to avoid it you must not just acclimate the fish to the temp but also to ph. The way to do this is to have a dripper slowly adding tank water to the beg as you acclimate. When the Ph is the same in a bag and tank its safe for the fish. (let me know if you need directions on making the dripper) Ph is usually the leading cause of death. Over all if the fish does not eat its not healthy. Before you buy any fish ask for it to be fed… if it goes for the food it’s usually a good pick. Many may argue that the fins are the way to tell … but the fins will grow back unless its too damaged if so the fish wont eat.
At this point you need to wait and see. Watch it closely for any weird activity and such. I would check out its body to see if there is any injuries, scaling or anything weird. If so Melafix is great for fish they respond well.
It may also help to find out what food the store gave the fish. Fish get used their food a lot of time wont eat much else. Best food would be live or frozen… many fish don’t get used to dryfreez and die. For picky eaters it helps to use Garlic Guard. Fish are sensitive to smell and garlic guard is very strong and it also improves their amune system.

80 degrees is high = alge

Answer 2

Snow has some great information. Also, be aware that many gourami are community fish. As with koi, tetra, etc. they may do better in groups of three or more. Some fish will get lonely and depressed if they don't have friends.

For the food, switch it up. Some will love flakes and dried, others preffer things like live blood- and glass-worms. If need be, you can try some fresh cooked spinach or peas (but not much at all) which will help their digestive system and vitamin levels.

As far as the pH is concerned, follow snow's advice. Gourami aren't as sensative as some other fish, but the wrong balance could be fatal. Keep it just slightly acidic. 7 to 8.5 should be fine.

Something else to keep in mind is the fact that gourami are very succeptible to ich. If you see any little white speckles, get some meds. Ich appears as little white dots, about the size of a pinpoint. The right pH levels will help prevent this.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your fish! ^_^

Answer 3

extensive advice the folk on the puppy save say feed the fish 3 pellets an afternoon so as that they run out right now and you purchase greater, bettas are complicated fish and don't prefer lots nutrition they're almost bullet evidence they do no longer consume that in the time of lots of cases attempt feeding them 5 pellets each 5 days have faith ME it is going to stay it extremely is merely no longer hungry i went on holiday for 10 days the beta did no longer starve they do no longer consume that in the time of lots of cases

Answer 4

he is doing fine and they don't eat alot but he will eat on top when you have the food in tank I would make the flakes smaller so it will be easier for him to eat. he will also eat blood worms too.

Answer 5

Maybe it's scared of the little shrimp or maybe it's dieing

Answer 6

try switching up his food

Answer 7

he may be eating , you just don`t see it!

Answer 8

he's depressed.