Frontosa is not eating

I have a 6" male Frontosa that is not eating as far as I can tell. I got him from a friend with 6 labs a week ago. The lads are eating. My friend was feeding them tropical flake food and not much of it. I have tried several different kinds of food. The fish have been in a 90 gallon for 8 years or so. He looks ok but is slowly moving around. I dont know anything about fronts. All water tests ok. PH is 8.3. Temp is 76. Any advise will be much appreciated.

Large new life spectrum pellets and some frozen krill

Have you tried any of the garlic additives....a couple of my discus were not eating after I put them in their new homes...Added some garlic (seachem variety) to their flake foods they went crazy.

ask Khrister. But from what I know....if the Fronts are in another tank with other species they are not aggressive eaters. Frontosa are calm , they like deep and darker areas of the water. Frontosa are from the bottom of the lakes. They are real calm fish. Might want to try something that sinks.

Iagree

How did you get your PH that high? Did you acclimate it well. My water off the tap is about 7.6. Anyhow, I suggest you fast it for a week. Then try to feed it sinking pellets like NLS. Maybe he is still trying to adapt to his new environment and water parameter. It is hard to fast a fish on a community tank though. I also agree with Kory. Fronts are opportunistic feeder, not as aggressive as mbunas. They are fast but in short burst, not like the hyper Mbunas. Observe him closely. Try fasting the tank for a week, feed in the dark and see if he goes for the food.

Agree 100% with Khrister, Some fish may take a little longer to adjust. The two types of fish you have are totally different. Allow a little more time. Thx

khrister wrote:

How did you get your PH that high?

My tap water is mid 8's here in Little Elm, TX well water. I did acclimate carefully. Tested the water thoroughly. I did put a few Attack cichlid pellets in everyday to try to get the fish off of the tropical fish flake food. Finally the front started digging for food today and has not stopped for an hour. Awesome!

Thanks to everyone for all the advise. I learned alot.

Good to know. BTW when I receive new fish in, I do not feed them for 24-48 hours. I don't expect them to eat anyway when they are stressed from the move or shipping.