What feeding technique mimics natural foraging by forcing the fish to pick at hidden food items?

Answer

Pressing soft foods into rockwork crevices or caves.

When attempting to encourage feeding in newly acquired or shy Wrought Iron Butterflyfish, specialized techniques that exploit their natural foraging instincts are highly effective. Since they naturally pick at small, hidden organisms like tunicates in reef crevices, the recommended actionable strategy is to press dampened flakes or small meaty items directly into the cracks, caves, or dead coral skeletons within the rockwork. This action forces the fish to investigate and pick at the food item as if it were a naturally concealed sponge or tunicate, often overcoming initial reluctance to eat.

What feeding technique mimics natural foraging by forcing the fish to pick at hidden food items?
dietWrought IronButterflyfish