Should my Damsel eat right when I feed him?

[alzika]

He hasn't eaten in two days when I've been watching. The food will float down right past him and he won't go eat it...

Is this normal? Is he shy and eating when I'm not looking?

[aquarius77]

Not normal but not completely un-normal depending on the situation.
Is the tank a new tank? (recently setup)
What are the water parameters?
What kind of fish and what size tank is it?
Is the fish new? How long has it been in the tank?
If not a new addition have you changed foods, or times that you feed??

Give us a little more insight into the situation and we can help you figure it out.

[alzika]

It is a recently set up tank.

Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates are fine.

Ph is about 8.1
Salinity is 1.026

I just got the fish about a week ago. He ate when I fed him for a few days but the past two days he hasn't.

[alzika]

Also, it is a three stripe damsel.

[Joshua1023]

Try adjusting your food type. Some fish just don't like certain foods. He may have eaten in the beginning and won't touch that type again until he is truly hungry. Try something new. That said, I don't think I've ever seen a finicky damsel.

[cowboyswife]

My damsel hasnt been eating his food because he eats pods all day.

[alzika]

My tank is new and doesn't have any pods in it yet, unless they were hitchhiking.

Are my water parameters correct?

[ACBlinky]

Are my water parameters correct?

The only things you listed are SG, which is fine at 1.026, and pH which is okay at 8.1. We need specific readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate to be able to tell you if the levels are where they should be. Ammonia and nitrite should be absolutely undetectable (0), and nitrates as low as possible.

[alzika]

Originally posted by ACBlinky
The only things you listed are SG, which is fine at 1.026, and pH which is okay at 8.1. We need specific readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate to be able to tell you if the levels are where they should be. Ammonia and nitrite should be absolutely undetectable (0), and nitrates as low as possible.

Ammonia and nitrites are both 0, and nitrates are very very low. I was mostly concerned about salinity and pH. You say they are ok, but are the values the best they could be?

[ACBlinky]

1.026 is great -- most people aim for 1.024-1.026. 8.1 is fine, I believe 8.3 is ideal but anywhere from 8.0-8.4 shouldn't be a problem. Sounds like your levels are spot-on, so I don't think they're the source of the problem.

Damsels are pigs IME, and eat just about anything. What are you feeding? If it's frozen food is it possible it's freezer burned or has been exposed to something in the freezer with a strong smell (like sausages, or other things with spices)? If it's flake or pelleted food, is it old? What type? It might just be unpalatable to him. I'd try feeding something that all fish go crazy for, like frozen cyclopeeze, brine, etc. and see if he takes it. If not, he may be feeling sick -- look for white spots and/or panting; lack of appetite could be a symptom of ich.