Can't get my Anthias to eat!

I have purchased to pink square anthias about a week ago. I knew that anthias can be pretty finicky eaters, but didn't expect them to turn down everything.

Every fish in my tank is eating ... except these two ... they just have no interest in anything thats been put into the tank.

Any ideas on how to entice them into a meal?

I've tried brine, mysis, HBH marine flake, reef chili, and cyclop-eez

any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

try live foods. baby brine, copepods..

When it comes to anthias, don't buy them unless they are already eating prepared food. Sometimes, it is impossible to get them to eat.

 

I soak my food in garlic... No fish turns it down (except that mandarin I used to have way back when)

have you tried that?

And a forewarning it has quite the potent smell use it in an open area so you don't stink out a room

 

i've heard of using garlic ... what do you do to prep your food. is it a garlic extract? garlic press? actually cloves of garlic?

 

Moved to fish board.

 

Reef Nutrition's Arcti-Pods. My anthias loves them. Try putting you brine in the fastest moving current in your tank. The fast moving food gets them to react on instinct.

Good Luck.

 

Well tonight I tried soaking some food in some garlic, and feeding it to the tank.

I noticed two things ... #1, fish love garlic! #2 Anthias also love garlic ... they didn't eat, but they were interested ... swam up to the food, one at a piece of garlic that was in the mix but didn't eat any fish food.

Its progress ... at least they are chasing some food now ... I think I'm on the path to success.

And the note about the fast moving current, I believe it ... the only food they were interested in, was the food that whizzed by their peripheral vision

 

Yes, anthias love to chase their food. So definitely feed in a strong current. Also, one of mine went on a hunger strike for a month. I got him eating again with garlic soaked bloodworms. Now he eats everything and anything - and huuuuuge quantities of it!

Good luck!

 

Product placement lol... I use this stuff called Garlic power from brightwell aquatics. It is a super concentrated liquid from garlic that I soak the food in for a few minutes before feeding.

It is so strong that it will get anything to eat.

I think marine depot is a sponsor of 3 reef so here is what I use.
Brightwell Aquatics Garlic Power