Wont eat!!!

Question
QUESTION: Hello, i just bought two silver tipped sharks about a week ago so far they havent eaten i have goldfish flakes and that top fin shrimp pellets its all just sitting on the bottom help me find a way to make them eat and hurry before anything bad happens to them!!!
ANSWER: Hi Cody,
Have you checked just to be sure that your water is ok? Sometimes, water conditions can get bad very quickly and you won't realize it. You might want to test for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.If there is any too high readings on any of these do a water change. If it has been quite a while since a water change then don't do a really large one just do several small ones over a period of several days so you don't cause a problem with the pH going up too fast. Also, if they are leaving food on the bottom of the tank be sure to siphon it out of the gravel after you have given them enough time to eat it or it will cause you water to get really toxic to your fish.

Next, look closely and make sure that there isn't any  sign of disease on fins or other areas of their body. Sometimes fish can be sick when we buy them and we don't know it until several days later.

You could try frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp. Sometimes, when fish won't eat anything they will go for bloodworms or brine shrimp. You should be able to find frozen food at your local pet store. Sometimes fish are difficult to feed unless you try out different live frozen foods. They may eventually eat the shrimp pellets and flakes but you may have to offer a variety just to be sure they remain healthy.

Best of luck with your sharks.
Hope this helps,
Karen



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok well i still have been told by the pet people that they have my kind of fish and use the food i do he said there getting adjusted to the water and environment i have no time to get anything at the pet store and no money so what should i do about feeding them if they dont eat it!?

Answer
Hi Cody,
Do twice a week water changes and see if there is any improvement. Water changes might help since sometimes fish will feel better and eat when they get  water changes.
If you can't try different foods all you can do is keep trying to feed them what you have. The pellets might work better than the flakes. Keep the bottom of the tank free of  uneaten food so it doesn't ruin your tank water.
Be careful, and this is what I tell everyone, what people at pet stores tell you. Just because they work there doesn't mean they give correct fish information. I hear this daily from different people that have serious aquarium problems due to the advise the employees told them at large well known pet stores. Just be careful.
Best of luck,
Karen