l27 and blue phantom not eating

[timtk]

Hi all,

I've been keeping fish for a long time but have been out of the hobby for a while. I recently got back in and purchased a 4" L27 Jamanxim and blue phantom from a local importer. I picked them up Sunday afternoon and so far they have not eaten, at least that I've observed. I offered them a mix of spirinula sticks/earthworm sticks that the importer recommended. I also blanched some cucumber and sweet potato and put it in last night. The veggies were moved across the tank but it doesn't look like they ate any. Is it normal for these fish to take a few days to acclimate or should I be concerned?

My water parameters are good... 0 ppm NH3/NH4+, 0 NO2- and >5ppm NO3-. My tap water has chloramine added and reads 0.25ppm ammonia out of the tap but it appears to be removed by the BB in my tank a day or so after a water change. I usually add a bit of prime to compensate. The temp is 80-82F. I haven't checked pH lately but was informed these fish are tolerant of pHs 7.0 +/- 1.5 pH units, and my tap water is around 7.8. TDS in my tank run around 140 ppm. I have a large piece of driftwood but so far the panaque hasn't been on it that i've noticed. He does however hang on muy sponge filter at times which has food particles on it, and I suspect he might be eating a bit off of the sponge filter though I'm not certain. I've noticed a little bit of poo that seems to be from the plecos but I'm not certain and I'd expect a larger amount that I've seen. The only other fish in the tank is a friendly 1.5" geophagus surinamensis sp. The plecos ignore each other, i.e. i haven't noticed any aggression or any interaction but could separate them if need be.

Any suggestions? Am I worrying too much?

[thefredpit]

I would give it a little more time until recently I hadn't noticed my L027 or L190 eating the cucumber but they obviously have been since they have grown in the last 6 months. Also the Blue phantom I got last friday is still trying to figure out where he fits in and I haven't seen him eat either

[Fundulopanchax76]

L 128 prefer low or lack of light, so maybe your eats at night when you dont see it. My fish dont eat vegetables and this is from moment i bought them even i tried some times - they eat only flakes -"sera san" and pleco wafers of different firms. Very important is water current - fish are much more active if you have water pump in the tank on.

[MarcW]

This is a common question/issue, newly introduced/imported fish will often take a week or more to start recognising what you offer as a food source.

I really like Repashy food, as it is more nutritious than a lot of the 'pleco wafers' and holds together well overnight, giving plenty of time for the fish to find it. I would also recommend that you leave a piece of raw sweet potato or courgette/zucchini in the tank overnight, weighed down with a fork or similar. The courgette will go soft overnight and should be removed first thing in the morning, but the sweet potato can be left longer, up to 48 hours in my experience.

[Jobro]

The L27 is supposed to rely on eating wood anyway. Pretty sure he will find it. You must make sure to supply plenty of wood and it needs to be pretty soft wood. If you can not put a scratch in it with your fingernail, the wood is probably too hard.

[timtk]

Thanks all for the advice. I will give it some time and try adding some more wood as well.

[b.reder]

I also blanched some cucumber

Why did you blanch the cucumber? I think my plecos like the tougher skin of the zucchini more than the softer inner material. -Barry

[timtk]

I also blanched some cucumber

Why did you blanch the cucumber? I think my plecos like the tougher skin of the zucchini more than the softer inner material. -Barry

so that it sinks.

[MarcW]

If you are having trouble with it sinking use a fork or a similar heavy stainless steel implement to weigh it down. If you blanch something which is quite soft already it will break down quicker, and may start to pollute the water before you can pull it out in the morning.

[ot co]

Give the fish some time. When they get hungry, they will start eating. Besides, they have to get used to the dishes because they probably ate something else. If they have a root, the best mangrove will survive even a few days without additional food. Check also if nothing disturbs their activity, that no one is spinning around the aquarium, it's not too loud, it can just turn off the light. With food you can give something for discus. These are very enticing foods and rarely will the fish pass as opposed to potato or blanched cucumber. I never blanche because the water gets dirty quickly and my potatoes L 27 and others do not like