How long before starvation?

Andy · Post by **Andy** » 16 Jul 2003, 12:50

Hi guys,

I've got an anadorus grypus in my tank that hasn't eaten yet as far as I know. I've already mentioned the feeding problems in the tank on another thread and followed those tips but I was wondering when I should begin to be worried. I bought it about ten days ago (last monday).

Post by **Silurus** » 16 Jul 2003, 13:49

I would start worrying if the fish hasn't eaten in two weeks.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » 16 Jul 2003, 16:38

I hope it won't take that long, I saw it eat at the lfs and it was almost as piggish as a costatus.

RogerMcAllen · Post by **RogerMcAllen** » 17 Jul 2003, 02:02

How big is the fish? Don't larger cats tend to eat only once every week or so?

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 17 Jul 2003, 04:15

If the fish is reasonably healthy and has any fat reserves at all, it can likely go a month or more without eating. Don't worry, it had to settle into the LFS tanks as well, and you saw it eat there.

Sincerely,
Pau E. Turley

Andy · Post by **Andy** » 17 Jul 2003, 09:13

He (maybe a she but who can tell?) is about 13 cm long and looks very lean, I don't think he's got all too big fat reserves. As far as I can tell he's quite healthy, just not so hungry at the moment.

Andy

Kostas · Post by **Kostas** » 17 Jul 2003, 18:33

Hi,
Did you put any new fish into the tank or did you did a water change during these days?Dorads are afraid of water changes when they are newly introduced to the tank and are also afraid of new fishes and as a result they dont come out to eat.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » 17 Jul 2003, 22:37

Yes and yes Kostas. A couple of days after introduction I changed aprox. 30% of the water and a few days after that I introduced two ancistrus into the tank.
Do you think he'll get settled enough to eat before he starves? I'm a bit overdue for another waterchange as it is and I'm almost afraid of what the nitrates have risen to by now.
When can I do another waterchange in your opinion?

Kostas · Post by **Kostas** » 18 Jul 2003, 09:10

If nitrates have risen alot (>50) do water change if not wait until he eats.

Andy · Post by **Andy** » 18 Jul 2003, 10:46

I've just done a water test (aquavital multistick) and as far as I can tell there are almost no nitrates that can be detected but the pH seems to be above 8,4.
The water around here is, I think, very soft and the substrate in the tank is called english sea stones, in other words small ( about 2 mm diameter) and rounded. I'm not sure about it but I beginning to suspect that it is the factor raising the pH.

Reiner · Post by **Reiner** » 18 Jul 2003, 23:58

Judging by the name " English see stones" and knowing that the high cliffs on the coast in England are limestone I think you know what raises your pH. Check with the company that made the gravel and ask them what it is.But I guess it is limestone

Andy · Post by **Andy** » 19 Jul 2003, 01:44

I've just checked the pH again and its approx. 6.5 to just below 7 so I think the softness of the water and the unusual high temperature here is what gave the earlier reading. The water heer is, as I've stated earlier, is quite soft and prone to wide fluctuations. I've also talked to the guys at the nearest LFS and they weren't too worried about the substrate as they use the same for their tanks and they have nice and healthy fish.

Kostas · Post by **Kostas** » 21 Jul 2003, 10:10

Hi,
Ph around 7 is fine.
Did your Anadorus ate?

Andy · Post by **Andy** » 21 Jul 2003, 15:05

Yes!

I finally saw the anadorus eat. I tried some red mosquitoe larvae he was definately out there eating, not that much but at least something.
I'll wait untill midweek to do a waterchange as I'm probably going to recieve some spotted raphaels on Friday if I'm lucky.

thanks for the tips and info,

Andy