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Male will not eat and won't stop digging

PostPosted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:34 pm
by 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

Re: Male will not eat and won't stop digging

PostPosted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 2:39 am
by steve
Do you know what the water temperature is?

Re: Male will not eat and won't stop digging

PostPosted: Sun Feb 23, 2014 5:47 pm
by 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

Re: Male will not eat and won't stop digging

PostPosted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 5:55 am
by 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?

Re: Male will not eat and won't stop digging

PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:29 pm
by 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.

Re: Male will not eat and won't stop digging

PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 2:30 pm
by Pachydurm
I do have gravel, is that bad?

Re: Male will not eat and won't stop digging

PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:48 pm
by steve
Yes, gravel is not good. Bare tanks, sand and river rock are better options.