2ft redtal cross not eating

[catman]

HI
every one this is my first post on here
just moved my redtail cross shovel nose in to a larger tank and he wont eat yet before i moved him he would eat anything all the time any help on this please
thanks in advance peter

[MatsP]

How long since it last ate?

These fish don't eat very frequently, and can go several weeks without food (in fact, most fish can go a long time without food).

Is the filtration on the new tank well established?
What is the water quality measurement (nitrate, ammonia, nitrate)?

--
Mats

[wrasse]

check the water conditions as Mats suggests. Correcting them usually sorts the problem.
But remember that the fish was used to its old tank. It might well be sulking. Some good aeration and additional water-changes would help it adjust.

[Richard B]

Getting it to eat shouldn't worry you at all - these can go weeks & still be in good health

it will take time to settle - how long since the move - how big is the new tank - what are the nitrate & nitrite readings - what filtration is there? Answers to these will help us point you in the right direction.

(any uneaten food might not help the situation)

Aeration & water changes increases mentioned above would be a good idea

[catman]

HI
thanks all the water is ok i dont the readings as i get it checked at lfs and he as been keeping the shop 30+ years so i trust him the tank is 10x4x4 the filters are cycled thay are 2xfx5s 1xfluval 204 1x205 1x304 he is very active he last ate on monday thanks again peter

[Redtailrob]

Well the set up sounds fine & providing the water parameters are good he's probabley just sulking.
Unless of coarse he is visabley showing signs of illness / distress.

Give him a week or two & he'll become very active once hungry.
It's fine for predatory cats to go long periods without food.
He'll let you know when he's hungry!

[catman]

HI
soz have not been on here for a while just to let you all know he is eating again like a horse but will only eat pork thanks all peter

[JamieH]

Good to hear be interested in any pictures of the cat / set up if you care to share

[MatsP]

but will only eat pork

I don't think you will find ANYONE suggesting that pork is good food for a catfish. I'd suggest you ween it off that, and get it onto more "fishy" foods. A good thing is that I suspect it's not eating live piglets, so it's already used to eating "dead" food. Getting it to eat something like prawns or sprats.

It may taking some stubbornness on your half to starve the fish for a little while until it's hungry enough to take "anything". Just remember, it's for the fish's best in the long term.

--
Mats

[Redtailrob]

Hi there.

As per what Matt has already said, animal foodstuffs should really be avoided for feeding to big Cats due to their High fat content.
Try Squid, white fish, Prawns etc.
Also ideally oily fish sauch as Mackeral, Salmon, Sardines should be avoided.

Regards
Rob

[catman]

HI
thanks all i will try some of your ideas i was thinking of rubbing the pork over some sprats so he can smell the pork and trick him i will let you know how i get on thanks peter

[MatsP]

HI
thanks all i will try some of your ideas i was thinking of rubbing the pork over some sprats so he can smell the pork and trick him i will let you know how i get on thanks peter

I wouldn't bother. If the fish isn't taking sprats, it's not hungry enough. Starve it for a few days (at this size, the fish can probably starve for several weeks, maybe even a couple of months without any serious ill effects), then try some fishy food. If it doesn't take it, it's not hungry enough - keep starving it, and offer the food you want it to eat.

--
Mats