Urgent Care :: Male will not eat and won't stop digging

[Pachydurm]

Hello, I have a almost one year old male. I say male because I saw him fanning recently. I have a 55 gal tank with 30 gal in it. It is heated and has a floating dock, and very expensive canisters filter. For the last few days he won't eat anything even his shrimp. He has now dug a trench all the way around the bottom of the tank. He will bask but no food at all. He seems very aggressive. Please help

[steve]

Do you know what the water temperature is?

[Pachydurm]

Not exactly but it is warm to the touch. The tank is in front of a window and there is a 100w lamp on him, and we use a heat bulb at night

[steve]

I'd pick up a thermometer because water temperature is fairly critical, around 75-78F is best for them. What kind of substrate? If it's gravel, it could cause impaction. Do you have that and have you seen him eat any?

Have you tried any live foods?

[Pachydurm]

He eats now, but only in the morning after the lamp has been off all night. I haven't tried live food, but will give it a shot.

[Pachydurm]

I do have gravel, is that bad?

[steve]

Yes, gravel is not good. Bare tanks, sand and river rock are better options.