Had to leave my tank and fish at friend's house for a while,just got it back it has one Red Devil and some

Question

plecos.My friend did not feed Red Devil regulary or at a specific time.Now i got my tank back and my Devil doesn't want to eat his food(Hikari Gold Pellets) I've had him back for abot a week now but whenever i try to feed him he's uninterested and the pleco's come to top and eat the pellets.What could i do to, get him to eat?Should I just buy him small goldfish because he always eats those or not?Need advice Please help.

Answer 1

You don't say how big your red devil is - unless he's very small, it probably wouldn't hurt him to be without food for a few days. Yes, variety is good. I'd also try to get him off the feeder goldfish and onto rosy red minnows - they're better nutritionally, and are usually healthier in store tanks.

If you're really concerned about him and he doesn't eat for a few days, it couldn't hurt to try a small goldfish, since he's used to eathing these. It may just take him a while to settle back into his "old" feeding schedule after being moved back and forth.

Answer 2

Sounds like he is upset with you, my Oscar stops eating when I go out of town and pouts when I get back. I give him a little nibble of ground sirloin to make up and once I gave him an earthworm but that was disgusting, if you do that wait 24 hours so the worm evacuates. I don't do goldfish because I don't have another tank to keep the fish in isolation to avoid the spread of disease. He may be in shock and just upset. look for signs of illness, unless he is sick a devil will not let himself starve. He will eat before that happens. Unless he is one of those types that prefers the hunt, try a little sirloin or beefheart or bloodworms. Good luck.

Answer 3

Feeder goldfish are o.k. to feed but most fish like variety. You could also feed him ghost shrimp, crawfish, feeder mollies or platies and even frozen shrimp. I would still offer the pellets as they usually have vitamins added to them.