Why is my tiger shovelnose catfish not eating?

[Big Back Double Mac]

i have a TSN thats 5'', i have a 700 gallon tank setup for him and some other fish but i put him in a 70 gal for now. Its been a week since ive got him and hes not eating. Ive tried feeder fish, bloodworms, carnivore pellets and sliced tilapia. I have not seen him eat any of those food. he has tons of hiding spots in the tank, and its is only for him, water conditions are good as well. I was thinking about force feeding but i just wanna make sure i make the right choice by going to this web and asking for help. I really want him to thrive and live a good life. Please do help if you can, thank you.

 

[kno4te]

I’d wait and cont reoffering food. I wouldn’t force feed the fish. It’s still getting used to the tank. I know you said ur water is good so keep up with the clean water.

 

[Hendre]

I’d wait and cont reoffering food. I wouldn’t force feed the fish. It’s still getting used to the tank. I know you said ur water is good so keep up with the clean water.

+1 on this
Fish will very rarely starve themselves for death. Keep it clean, offer little bits of food at a time and your catfish should come around

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

You say you haven't seen it feed but about its tummy? Does it tell you the fish hasn't fed? If so, 1-2 weeks of adjustment and acclimation are not unheard of. As stated above, if the fish is healthy and your water is clean of ammonia and nitrite (which you should check with a liquid test kit, not sticks), well aerated, pH stable, pH, hardness, temp, salinity are all suitable for this fish, dim light, then it should start feeding when it is hungry and comfortable. Both hungry and comfortable. If your TSN has not fed for a week, it is hungry, but if it is not feeding, it is not comfortable yet.

Force-feeding? I am mighty surprised this is even an option, not to mention one of the first things to be considered or mentioned by any keeper. This is a hailmary, the most desperate attempt when all else failed and no hope remains, in my book anyway.

 

[Big Back Double Mac]

I’d wait and cont reoffering food. I wouldn’t force feed the fish. It’s still getting used to the tank. I know you said ur water is good so keep up with the clean water.

I reoffer the food after a 24 hours

 

[Big Back Double Mac]

Re

You say you haven't seen it feed but about its tummy? Does it tell you the fish hasn't fed? If so, 1-2 weeks of adjustment and acclimation are not unheard of. As stated above, if the fish is healthy and your water is clean of ammonia and nitrite (which you should check with a liquid test kit, not sticks), well aerated, pH stable, pH, hardness, temp, salinity are all suitable for this fish, dim light, then it should start feeding when it is hungry and comfortable. Both hungry and comfortable. If your TSN has not fed for a week, it is hungry, but if it is not feeding, it is not comfortable yet.

Force-feeding? I am mighty surprised this is even an option, not to mention one of the first things to be considered or mentioned by any keeper. This is a hailmary, the most desperate attempt when all else failed and no hope remains, in my book anyway.

im pretty sure some fish that are too weak might need force feeding, I’m not saying my TSN is weak yet but I would really be bummed out if he died.

 

[Big Back Double Mac]

+1 on this
Fish will very rarely starve themselves for death. Keep it clean, offer little bits of food at a time and your catfish should come around

For sure, thanks

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Re

im pretty sure some fish that are too weak might need force feeding, I’m not saying my TSN is weak yet but I would really be bummed out if he died.

Glad to see your care. I have not seen a fish that'd be fine otherwise but too weak to feed. I believe this is impossible. Feeding is the #1 instinct and doesn't take much energy or strength in captivity (as opposed to the wild). Unless highly skilled and having done it many times before, chances are you will kill it by trying to force feed and the fish will regurgitate the feed anyway from all the horrendous stress (from its perspective) of the procedure. Stress is #1 killer of fish, not hunger, or even illness.

In my earnest 15 years of experience, I have only tried it once on a fish dying of unknown reason, which died anyway.

But I am always up for more learning from anyone and everyone.

Appetite and palatability can be increased by using a soak in VitaChem, or in garlic sauce... but first things first: what is your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate reading by a liquid test such as API freshwater?

What is your pH and is it stable?

What is your water TDS and hardness, KH and GH?

Describe aeration and stirring.

If you want to start troubleshooting...

 

[kno4te]

I reoffer the food after a 24 hours

I’d wait a week of non stress and disturbance to the tank and try again. Even mix some garlic with the food.

 

[Big Back Double Mac]

Glad to see your care. I have not seen a fish that'd be fine otherwise but too weak to feed. I believe this is impossible. Feeding is the #1 instinct and doesn't take much energy or strength in captivity (as opposed to the wild). Unless highly skilled and having done it many times before, chances are you will kill it by trying to force feed and the fish will regurgitate the feed anyway from all the horrendous stress (from its perspective) of the procedure. Stress is #1 killer of fish, not hunger, or even illness.

In my earnest 15 years of experience, I have only tried it once on a fish dying of unknown reason, which died anyway.

But I am always up for more learning from anyone and everyone.

Appetite and palatability can be increased by using a soak in VitaChem, or in garlic sauce... but first things first: what is your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate reading by a liquid test such as API freshwater?

What is your pH and is it stable?

What is your water TDS and hardness, KH and GH?

Describe aeration and stirring.

If you want to start troubleshooting...

my PH is 7, water is still clean but the fish likes hiding alot. i dont worry alot about amonia and nitrate since i put some plants like java ferns in the tank before i put the fish in. im thinking maybe its the fast circulation of water thats why its not going out to eat food. but im not to sure so please do reply as soon as possible. i want my fish to thrive and not just to survive if you get what i mean.