redtail baby not eating?!

kookiejar · Post by **kookiejar** » 20 Sep 2007, 21:34

Hi All,

I just got a redtail juvenile of 5" and is presently housed in a 6'x2'x2' tank. I know I'll need something incredibly big soon!..... question is how soon?!
Another question is, it's not eating. It's tankmates are 2 plec*s of 7", 1 ghostknife of 5.5", 1 texas cichl*d of 7", 1 synodontis sp(1) of 5" and a tsn baby of 5.5".
To ensure that the baby redtail gets to eat, I tried feeding with the lights off with just a faint light coming from the other room. I noticed the other guys gobbling up the treat, but the redtail not coming out at all except for occassional sightings from behind the rockwork. Is it scared of the tankmates or even a faint light is scaring it to come out?!
I need help on this..... it's been 4 days that I have not seen it eat. Maybe it's eating when the lights are completely off......

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 20 Sep 2007, 23:31

Are you saying that you've had the fish for four days, and it's not yet eaten, or that you have had the fish for several weeks, it used to eat and it's stopped now?

If it's the former, that's pretty normal. The latter is more worrying, and could be caused by the water quality in the tank. Check for ammonia, nitrite in the water.

How long has the tank been set up?

--
Mats

artemis1 · Post by **artemis1** » 21 Sep 2007, 01:26

What's up with your

ammonia
nitrite
and
nitrate?

What size tank is he in, what's the ph, and what are you feeding him.

Hope he gets better,
Art

Alan · Post by **Alan** » 21 Sep 2007, 03:20

A RTC can get to 18" at 12 months old. With that, and a TSN you aren't going to need a tank, more a tropical pond. Apparently you only feed RTCs once or twice a week, although don't know if this is just adult specimens.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 21 Sep 2007, 10:52

Alan wrote:A RTC can get to 18" at 12 months old. With that, and a TSN you aren't going to need a tank, more a tropical pond. Apparently you only feed RTCs once or twice a week, although don't know if this is just adult specimens.

That is more mature specimens, but even at 6-7" they may only need feeding every other day or twice a week or so.

The other point is that they are predatory fish, and it may be necessary to wean them off live food onto "dead" food. This will require a bit of patience and some "starving" of the fish. [Possibly don't do this just after the fish has been purchased, as it may be too starved to even get going without the instinct of eating live food]

--
Mats

kookiejar · Post by **kookiejar** » 21 Sep 2007, 22:14

Hi,

Sorry for not getting back earlier.....
I did check the water quality.... ammonia, nitrite n nitrate issue are all fine. All the other fishes are doing fine. Only the redtail I haven't still seen eating. I have just purchased it 5 days back.
May be it's not comfortable yet?!..... or the predatory nature is stopping it from eating. Btw I'm feeding my fish pellet food and dried shrimp.

I know I'll need a bigger place.... n I have that in mind. I just hope it starts eating and doesn't grow too big for my 6 feet long tank in less than 6 months!

Thanks.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 22 Sep 2007, 00:24

If it's only been with you for 5 days or so, then that's probably part of the problem. It's just not settled in yet.

--
Mats

kookiejar · Post by **kookiejar** » 02 Oct 2007, 22:25

Thanks everybody for the help. been really busy with work to get back earlier.....
Good news is, the baby redtail cat is eating!! It seems to love shrimps!
I guess it took some time to get comfortable in its new home......

TheFishGuy · Post by **TheFishGuy** » 07 Oct 2007, 01:57

A TSN and RTC can attain a lengthe of 24" in one years time. I suggest an indoor pond to keep them in. The pond should be atleast 2000 gallons and circular in shape with the current moving in a circular motion. I would start work on the pond now as time will catch up with you. Also, if you value the lives of the other fish in the tank then move them now or start making plans to move them.

I also suggest checking out my website.

Don't get me wrong, I love large predatory cats, they're an awesome addition to any indoor pond!