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Question: How much do they eat while being fridged?

Emrys

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Hello all.

I have been fridging Beastie for a few weeks now, as it has gotten quite warm where I live and I wanted to make sure she did not overheat during the summer. At least once every other day I try to take her out, let her sit on the counter and warm up to roomish temp, then replace her water and feed her. (Her normal food is 1/2 a block of bloodworm every other day.)
However, the most recent time I brought her out for cleaning, she has not seemed interested in food. Usually she doesn't want to eat until she's completely warmed up (I know fish/reptiles will hibernate in the cold), but this time I've had her out of the fridge for a couple days and she still won't eat. She doesn't try to move either, even if poked gently. If I try to lift her out of the water she squirms like normal and swims around her tank for a few seconds afterwards, then resumes sitting still.

Should I be worried about her not eating? At what point should I consider force feeding her? Could it be that the temperature of the fridge is too low? I don't have a proper thermometer, and have had to guess what setting to leave the fridge at.

Any answers or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 

memojo1979

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I can't answer why she's feeling "off", but I do need to say that I don't think the continuous temperature fluctuations will be good for her :(
If you're warming her up every couple of days, then cooling her off again, that is a LOT of changes! I'm sure that her being a little too warm would actually be less stressful for her - I understand that you're doing it to get her to eat, but can't you try cooling her normal tank down a little, rather than keep putting her through all of the changes?
 

Kabernas

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The regular temp changes definitely are not a good idea, she is probably lethargic and not eating because her metabolism is lowering. Fridging does that, I would strongly suggest decreasing the number of times you put her in and out of the fridge, or better yet get an aquarium chiller.
 
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