Hey all,

So I picked up one of these guys up two days ago (about 5"), they used to be a pair but the stupid LFS didn't look after them properly and the female died, so I've in some way saved this fish from certain death! lol This is one beautiful cichlid but he doesn't seem to be eating as well as my other fish, do you think he could have an internal parasite?

I should mention his tank mates, an oscar about 1/2" longer than he is, a clown knife 8", totally non aggressive except when the oscar first tried to bully him, and now the oscar stays clear! a pleco at 9.5", 7 3" clown loaches, a lion head cichlid 3". None of the fish seem to bother him at all, they're in a 180gal with loads of rocks/driftwood/plants and good clean water.

So far I've tried cichlid pellets which he seems half interested in, live worms, nightcrawlers, dried tubifex worms, but he only seems to pick at the pellets.... any ideas on what else I could do to stimulate his appetite? I've heard garlic has positive effects, maybe adding the liquid extract onto the pellets before I feed them?

__________________
195G Pleco - 13" Clown Knife - 14" Silver tinfoil barb - 7", 7 Clown loaches - 4-5" 1 Black ghost knife - 7" 2 Tilapias - 4" 2 GT's - 3"

try frozen krill...

__________________
I have been keeping fish for 10 year's

Thanks Jen, I'll give it a try, although I have to say his appetite is starting to pick up I crushed a clove of garlic and added some tank water to a small bowl, dumped in some cichlid pellets for a half hour or so, this time, ALL the fish seemed to be interested in them! It seems like its working as he's starting to look and feed better!

__________________
195G Pleco - 13" Clown Knife - 14" Silver tinfoil barb - 7", 7 Clown loaches - 4-5" 1 Black ghost knife - 7" 2 Tilapias - 4" 2 GT's - 3"

your welcome

__________________
I have been keeping fish for 10 year's