Anytime your fish starts to show some unusual behavior, such as refusing to eat anything, it’s an indication that something not so normal is happening. Make sure you’re providing your fish with the appropriate type and amount of food for their size and breed. If the problem still exists, then you should consult an aquatic veterinary specialist for better information.
“Why my fish is not eating?” is a very common question. There could be many reasons for this. The number one reason could be a disease or illness. This is usually caused by poor tank water conditions. If your fish isn’t eating anything, the first question you should ask yourself is, is my husbandry in a bad condition?
Illness
The very first reason could be illness. If your fish is sick it won’t eat. Watch your fish for other signs of illness too, such as staying all the time in one part of the tank or swimming abnormally. Sick or old fish start to swim on one side only. This is a very common symptom for an older fish or a fish with some sort of illness.
Pregnancy
Pregnant fish may not eat as much as usual just before giving birth. If you think your fish is pregnant, move her to a breeding tank to give her privacy and protection and to provide a secure environment to give birth. Casual signs of fish pregnancy include dark triangular marking toward their lower fin and swollen abdomen.
Stress
Stress is one of another reason why your fish may not be eating. Stress can occur if you transfer fish from one tank to another for moving or cleaning purposes, or when the tank temperature suddenly changes. Saltwater fish have more temperature-related stress than freshwater fish.
The addition of new fishes in the tank can also temporarily cause stress to fish. You can limit the stress on your fish by doing regular partial water changes than one-time full-scale cleaning; It may help in reducing stress and also help in maintaining a healthier tank environment.
Fear
Fear can also stop fish from eating. This is often a case in a community tank in which larger and aggressive fish frightens smaller tank mates when competing for food. To reduce this problem, choose fish for your community tank that is of the same size and temperament, or feed them equally.
Over-feeding
If you’re giving your fish too much food, you may feel like that they aren’t eating. Make sure you’re giving your fish an appropriate amount of food. Watch your fish when you’re giving them food to assess their consumption and behavior.
If a vet says that your fish doesn’t have any health issues, then try different brands of food.
Final words
If you are one of those with the question “why my fish is not eating?”, these could be some of the main reasons why your fish isn’t eating anything. If you don’t see your fish having any of these issues, then you should consult a veterinary specialist. A veterinary specialist will give better information on why your fish is not eating its food.
