New elephant nose is scared of me

[Sebastienb]

Hi guys, I got an elephant nose on Friday and he stays hidden unless there's is total darkness in the tank and room. Because of that I'm having a hard time feeding him as the other fish won't leave any food for him. Should I be worried ? It's only been a day

 

[Fishanatic]

Not at all. This is totally normal especially for new fish. Try keeping the lights off all day for a few days, and he should get used to you. He should fully recognize you after a few weeks. Happens with every new fish I get. Shy fish are a bit harder to get used to though. He should start eating any time soon

 

[Sebastienb]

Thanks ill give lights off a try.

 

[Fishanatic]

No problem. Another solution would be approaching him with treats such as bloodworms or krill, even brine shrimp or beef hearts
Just make sure he starts eating within a few days.

Good Luck!

 

[Sebastienb]

He started coming out to eat since yesterday. I only get to feed him at night, he starts coming out with just the moonlight and come out for longer periods with all lights out.

 

[Fishanatic]

He started coming out to eat since yesterday. I only get to feed him at night, he starts coming out with just the moonlight and come out for longer periods with all lights out.

Happy to hear that

 

[shellyx]

Hi guys, I got an elephant nose on Friday and he stays hidden unless there's is total darkness in the tank and room. Because of that I'm having a hard time feeding him as the other fish won't leave any food for him. Should I be worried ? It's only been a day

I have an elephant nose had him for over a year. They are nocturnal need to feed with the lights off. When he settles and gets more confidence he, ll come out more. Mine is out day and night i feed him morning and night with the lights off.
Nobody in my tank take his food lol but he's big! And i re homed most of my fish. Good luck with him there great fish

 

[Sebastienb]

Nobody in my tank take his food lol but he's big! And i re homed most of my fish. Good luck with him there great fish

How do you feed him and keep it from the others ? I have to feed everyone blood worms after their regular flakes and sinking pellets to make sure the elephant nose gets some

 

[shellyx]

How do you feed him and keep it from the others ? I have to feed everyone blood worms after their regular flakes and sinking pellets to make sure the elephant nose gets some

When i first got him i hand fed him, now i feed him in the same place all the time they get use to you doing that. I don't have a lot of fish with him but what i do is turn the lights out feed my other guy's then i drop in his food slowly. He's very dominant so nobody touches his. You could try target feeding him till he gets confident or even better live bait.

 

[shellyx]

Meant to say my guy eats live bait bloodworm and brine, frozen food bloodworm, brine with garlic and mosquito larvae white or black. I have tried all frozen and these are the one's he will eat

 

[Sebastienb]

Meant to say my guy eats live bait bloodworm and brine, frozen food bloodworm, brine with garlic and mosquito larvae white or black. I have tried all frozen and these are the one's he will eat

Can I feed him just hatched brine shrimp ? Their so small not sure he will even see them. I' getting some ready for him not sure if I should let them get bigger first.

 

[shellyx]

Can I feed him just hatched brine shrimp ? Their so small not sure he will even see them. I' getting some ready for him not sure if I should let them get bigger first.

I would try it, mine eats it he loves live bloodworm too. Just give it a go and see!