How often should I feed?

[BP1913]

Hi all, I recently bought a columbian shark (Hexanematichthys seemanni ?) and I am not sure how often it should be fed. Could someone please answer this question for me? It eats TetraMin tropical flakes

[MatsP]

It depends on the size of the fish - small fish needs more frequent feeding - babies may need feeding 3-4 times a day, whilst really large fishes will need feeding maybe once every three days.

And this fish requires marine conditions when mature.

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Mats

[Richard B]

it depends on how much food is given but i tend to follow the "little & often" theory - in practical terms that's twice a day but only what the fish in a tank will generally consume within a minute or so.

What other fish are there, what's the tank like & the water conditions? How big is the shark cat?

[BP1913]

Well this one is very young i think, it has only been in the tank for a week and seems to be doing quite well. On the other hand, i had another columbian in the tank for approximately the same amount of time and it died this morning? It was young but larger than my current shark. I'm not sure why it would have died, the filter is brand new, temp is fine, and the pH level is fine.
The tank is currently still "cycling" now i guess? It has been set up for approx. 10 days. It is a 10 gallon tank by the way. I understand that these sharks will need a larger tank and I will upgrade when necessary.
Also, someone else bought me the shark that is in the tank right now, and they said the woman who sold it to them said it was a columbian, but it does not look like one? it has tiny whiskers but its physical shape differs from the columbians i've seen. Maybe its because it is very young.. ?
Thank you for the help regarding the food, you guys are a great help.

[MatsP]

10 days is less halfway through cycling (it can take up to 6 weeks for a tank to cycle, and it's still not properly mature until it's been up and running for about 6 months).

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Mats

[Martin S]

Also, someone else bought me the shark that is in the tank right now, and they said the woman who sold it to them said it was a columbian, but it does not look like one? it has tiny whiskers but its physical shape differs from the columbians i've seen. Maybe its because it is very young.. ?

If you can get a photo or two, and post them here, we can try and help identify or confirm your fish ID.
As the tank is still in the cycling stage, are you testing the nitite (NO2) levels and doing regular water changes? if you are in the nitrite peak stage, this is what could have caused the death of the other catfish. I'd suggest keeping feeding to an absolute minimum and do daily partial changes if the nitrite is on the high side until it drops and add no other fish for at least a fortnight after the nitrite has returned to normal.
If your fish is, as you think

Hexanematichthys seemanni

, I am sure you are aware that you are going to need to upgrade your tank considerably to house this fish when it's an adult, and alter it's conditions (as already mentioned) through brackish and then marine. Full grown, this fish can reach over 13".
HTH
Martin

[Richard B]

...plus they are fairly quick growers

[BP1913]

I am fairly sure that it is an Iridescent Shark (Pangasius hypophthalmus). It has a bluish silver tint to its skin and has a horizontal black stripe along its body. I have not tested the nitrite levels, is there a kit I can buy to do this?
How long should I do daily partial water changes for? And as for keeping the feeding to an absolute minimum, do you mean once a day?

[MatsP]

Any

Pangasius

is pretty bad inhabitant in aquaria suitable for homes. They grow FAR too large.

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Mats

[Martin S]

I am fairly sure that it is an Iridescent Shark (Pangasius hypophthalmus). It has a bluish silver tint to its skin and has a horizontal black stripe along its body.

As Mats rightly says, not a suitable fish for home aquaria - if you can return it I suggest you do this.

I have not tested the nitrite levels, is there a kit I can buy to do this?

Yes, there are several brands of nitrite test kit available - there are both liquids and test strips that you can use.

How long should I do daily partial water changes for?

If your nitrite is high, then you should be doing them at least once daily, and then every week once things settle down.

And as for keeping the feeding to an absolute minimum, do you mean once a day?

If nitrite is high, I'd suggest feeding only once, and a small amount every 3 days, and as the nitrite starts to drop, you can slowly move to every 2 days, and then every day. Each time, make sure, as Richard suggested above

it depends on how much food is given but i tend to follow the "little & often" theory - in practical terms that's twice a day but only what the fish in a tank will generally consume within a minute or so.

Hope this helps
Martin

[BP1913]

Thanks a lot everyone, you've been a great help.
It is probably too late to return the shark right now, I may be able to give it to a friend of mine. Ill stick to the columbian sharks once I get the nitrite levels back to normal.

-Brian

[MatsP]

Thanks a lot everyone, you've been a great help.
It is probably too late to return the shark right now, I may be able to give it to a friend of mine. Ill stick to the columbian sharks once I get the nitrite levels back to normal.

-Brian

Columbian sharks are not a good idea either - they too grow fairly large (13", and also need marine conditions when mature - and it won't go well with "nemo" or any other tropical marine setup either).

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Mats

[apistomaster]

At the stage your aquarium is at feeding the catfish live black worms will minimize any decaying foods.

[sidguppy]

and it won't go well with "nemo" or any other tropical marine setup either

I agree with Hexanematichthys snackin on lil Nemo, but it being unsuitable for ANY tropical marine setup?

I think not

if you get a roomy tank, say 8x3 feet or so with a few large piecies of mangrove ood, some rounded boulders on the fine sandy substrate and you add a group of Scatophagus argus and some adult Archerfish and maybe a Gobioides brussonetti as oddball the Columbian Sharkcat will be the centerpiece of a stunning display

such a tank wouldn't be that difficult to maintain ither; easier than a real Reeftank, because all the fish are tough as old boots.

[MatsP]

Ok, so I should probably have phrased that differently: It is unsuitable for any "traditional/typical tropical marine setup". Obviously, almost any habitat can be reproduced in a tank, and a combination of suitable furniture and tankmates, in a reasonable size tank is indeed possible. Just not your typical reef-setup with very colourful small species.

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Mats

[Rinaag]

Just expressing my two cents.
I would think that most stores allow you to return fish if done within 2 weeks. Possibly longer.
Go by and ask, if you like, explaining that your tank is not really ready.
Good luck.

[MatsP]

Most shops here in the UK take fish back, however long you've had them, as long as the fish is in reasonably good health. However, don't expect to get much for them.

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Mats

[Andie6]

I have been keeping columbian sharks for several years, I have a couple that are 7 years old. Columbians do not need to be full out marine when the reach maturity. They can handel roughly 1 1/2 TBS of salt per 5 galloon. I only feed my guys once every three days as it helps with keeping the nitrate and ammonia levels. If you are having probs with the levels do a approx 30% water change every other day until it goes down. I also suggest using cycle which will help your aqaurium with the growth of the benefical bacteria which is needed to help lower nitrate and ammonia level., especially if it's a new aqaurium. You got to be careful for ammonia spikes which do occur. But if you do regular water changes you should be safe.