Maybe you have a similar case like this question ”I introduced coppens (imported feed) to my fish after stocking and for the first 4 days, they refused eating it. What could have happened and what do I do? ”
A similar experience had occurred when some tadpoles had grown in the water before the fish were put in the pond. I discovered that the fish were busy feeding on the tadpoles for the first one week before they started picking the floating pellets.
Something related to this may be your own reason also. They can also do that if they were transported from a long distance and do not recover from the stress on time.
To correct this, make sure you give them anti-stress if they are transported from a long distance and also control the growth of tadpoles in your water before stocking so that they don’t refuse the quality feed they need.
Appetite loss are commonly due to diseases that are related to water conditions, infectious diseases, non-infectious diseases, bad food and more. In most cases, when one fish is sick, there is the potential that the entire fish population is at risk of getting sick.
Note that the use of non-targeted medicines for fish diseases without a proper diagnosis could cause more harm and complicate the matter. This could lead to more pain and suffering.
Sometimes, your fishes may also refuse to eat their feed due to the following reasons below:
1) Water
Water quality is the single most important factor for good fish health. They live in it, swim in it, breathe in it and excrete into it. Many biological processes depend on the water conditions to be just right for the type of fish.
As such, fish can lose their appetite if there is a build up of fish wastes (e.g. ammonia, nitrite or nitrate), if the water temperature is too low or too high, if the dissolved oxygen is low, if the dissolved carbon dioxide is high, if the pH is wrong and if there are toxins in the water.
It is thus important to check these parameters when investigating the reason for loss of appetite. There are many different aquarium water test kits available at your local fish shop.
2) Pregnancy
Live-bearing fish may not eat as much as usual right before giving birth. If you suspect your fish is pregnant, move her to a breeding tank where she can have privacy and protection and a secure environment in which to give birth.
Typical signs of live-bearing fish pregnancy include a swollen abdomen and a dark triangular marking toward the lower fin. You may even be able to see the dark spots of the fry eyes through the mother’s body.
