16" Tigrinus catfish : need expert advice PLEASE

[888fish]

Got a 16" Tig I raised since 4" almost exclusively on Hikari Massivore sinking pellets. Did a large 70-80% water change (routinely 60%/5 days), netted out all the fishes in order to paint the bottom outside of tank. It hasn't eaten in a week since then, just swims vertically constantly against one side of the tank immediately after I turn off the lights. Once I turn the lights on he swims right back down and hangs out on the bottom. He looks fine, isn't breathing heavily, not bloated. I did my normal 60% change yesterday, but is still acting the same.

pH : 7.2
Temp: 80F
No tank mates are stressing him, bare tank, gets spooked occasionally especially when I empty the tank.

Is it just acting up? Is it pissed because I scooped him out for my initial 70% water change? It won't eat with the lights but dim either.

Thanks in advance!

 

[taksan]

He's probably just having a temper tantrum. I've had both my big tig's do the vertical swim thing after tank swaps and they both settled down after a week or so. To try the feeding I'd be hand feeding using prongs with either live fish (you hold them by the tail and wriggle them in front of his nose) or clumped pieces of dried blackworm with massivore hidden inside.

 

[nomad]

my guess is that you messed up the bacteria in your filter due to the massive WC......any ammonia ?

 

[888fish]

my guess is that you messed up the bacteria in your filter due to the massive WC......any ammonia ?

I'll check the ammonia, but all the other fishes are eating great, including my large loaches. The are no slime coat sloughing off on any of my fishes. The Tig looks great, acts normal when resting on the bottom.

 

[888fish]

Ammonia= 0

 

[Mr Pleco]

large water changes tend to swing ph, if your KH levels are low.?..was your water the same temp? do you age your tap water or play russian roullette and python change?
tap water makeup consistency varies from week to week, sometimes daily , if your on city water....remember your city water report is a yearly avg...

 

[creepyoldguy]

Hey sorry to derail this, but what size tank is good for a tig? Is a 2ft wide tank good?

 

[taksan]

Hey sorry to derail this, but what size tank is good for a tig? Is a 2ft wide tank good?

no ... 30" wide at absolute minimum ... or wider

 

[creepyoldguy]

^^^Ok didn't think tigs got past the 24" mark

 

[888fish]

Just an update, it started eating again a week or so after I started this thread. It still swims vertically on one end of the tank occasionally, but is eating aggressively again. Personally, I think it was just acting up.