Common Causes of Dragon Fish Not Eating: Quick Solution
Reasons Why Dragonfish Are Not Eating
1. Sensitivity to New Environments Leading to Refusal of Food: This is a common issue with newly acquired dragonfish and those recovering from illnesses. Dragonfish are highly perceptive and can be particularly sensitive to new surroundings, including the presence of humans. When a new dragonfish is introduced to its tank, it may feel anxious and afraid, leading to a refusal to eat. This is also true for dragonfish that have undergone surgery and are in recovery.
How to Address: Maintain clean and stable water quality, quarantine the fish in a separate tank, and install a small night light above the tank while keeping other lights off to create a safer environment. Gradually, the dragonfish will start to eat on its own as it adapts. During this time, spend more time near the tank to help the fish get accustomed to your presence, making it feel more at ease.
Additionally, ensure the water is wellprepared before introducing the dragonfish to the tank, keeping the temperature appropriate and fasting the fish for two days prior to its arrival. Also, be mindful of the water level, especially for smaller dragonfish, as they may not thrive in excessively deep or wide tanks.
2. Poor Water Quality Causing Refusal of Food: Issues like aged water and high levels of harmful substances can lead to a lack of appetite in dragonfish, often resulting in them spitting out food or lying motionless in the tank. While these issues may seem minor, they can pose serious threats to the dragonfish's health if not addressed promptly.
How to Address: Temporarily stop feeding, focus on improving water quality during the fasting period, eliminate bacteria, and perform water changes and filter maintenance to keep the water clean and stable.
3. Monotonous Diet Leading to Picky Eating or Complete Refusal: Continuously feeding dragonfish the same type of food can lead to boredom and nutritional imbalances, potentially causing them to become underweight or overweight.
How to Address: Allow the dragonfish to fast for 5 to 6 days while improving water quality and supplementing with vitamins. After the fast, introduce a varied diet and ensure regular, portioncontrolled feedings. Pay attention to the balance of the diet and establish a rhythm of feeding.
4. Cold Symptoms Reducing Appetite: This is often seen during significant weather changes or extreme temperatures. When dragonfish are under the weather, they may exhibit symptoms like lying still in the tank or reduced appetite.
How to Address: Add a small amount of penicillin and sea salt to the water, adjust the temperature, and maintain stability. After a twoday fasting period, resume feeding.
5. Internal Parasite Infection Causing Loss of Appetite: Feeding dragonfish insects, small fish, or frogs can lead to internal parasites. Symptoms of infection can be similar to enteritis, with the dragonfish showing signs of restlessness, lying still in the tank, and a decrease in appetite.
How to Address: If symptoms appear, immediately stop feeding and identify the cause. Treat the dragonfish with appropriate medications, such as increasing water temperature and administering oxygen, before resuming feeding once it has recovered.
6. Enteritis Leading to Refusal of Food: Dragonfish with enteritis often suffer from poor water quality or unclean food. Symptoms include restlessness, lying still in the tank, prolapse, and a loss of appetite.
How to Address: Improve water quality and fast the dragonfish for 2 to 3 days. If symptoms persist, treat with antibiotics or other appropriate medications. After recovery, feed soft foods like shrimp meat without the head and tail.
Dr. OxygenPet has summarized several reasons why dragonfish may not eat. The key to resolving this issue is to identify the exact cause and treat it accordingly. However, poor water quality and suboptimal living conditions are common triggers for such behavior. Paying close attention to these aspects can greatly improve the wellbeing of your dragonfish.
