I have a 1 foot albino iridescent in a 125 gallon. He seemingly gets along fine with the Redtail cat and 12 inch oscar I have in there, because I've never seen them fight or chase each other. But Ive had him for about 5 months and have yet to see him eat... anything. I have tried floating pellets,sinking pellets, shrimp, bloodworms, algae wafers, and chunks of meat and lettuce. He still swims right past it all. Is it possible that he is blind? and if so, how has he not starved to death yet? He still looks just as full bodied and healthy as when I got him from my friend, despite not ever consuming anything. I thought perhaps he was living off of algae or just swimming around filtering the water for nutrients like some sort of baleen whale but my tank is well filtered and is algae free. Does anybody have any idea how this miracle fish is still alive, and if possible, can I get him to eat. I know what I am doing (fish wise), so please no lectures on how big they get, how I need a bigger tank, and how these shouldn't be in the fish trade. I know this. Im building a pond and that is irrelevant to my question, and if he gets too big, im just gunna fillet the SOB. So please, if anyone has any ideas or pointers, they would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Albino Iridescent Shark not eating?
- Thread starter Ppuzas
- Start date
I know I need a bigger tank, but he still has plenty of room in the 125 (for now). He is probably around 8-10 inches, a foot was a rough estimate. He just wont eat, he's actually bumped into pellets and chunks of meat and vegetables, yet he still wont consume it. And he has grown since I got him (he was around 6 inches at first), but has yet to visibly intake anything. I just don't get it, he doesn't seem stressed. He isn't darting around as if he was afraid of the tankmates or myself. Actually, he sometimes follows the red tail cat side by side. The water quality is as close to perfect as it can possibly be. But, his lack of fear (especially when I'm siphoning the gravel and doing water changes) is why I think he is probably just blind. Everywhere I read, people say they are skittish, but like I said, he rarely darts around. Finally, if he is blind, is there anything I can do, or should I just eat him. From what I read, they are pretty tasty.
I have had the fish for about 5 months' so he should be adjusted to his new home by now, right? And since I have him in with a RT/TSN hybrid and a tiger oscar, is it possible that he is just intimidated by their aggressive pursuit of food and just backs off? The oscar and catfish both produce little bits of crushed pellets and meat from their gills after eating, and he could possibly be living off of those. I dont know what to do, im trying to find him a new home. If any one in the chicago area is willing to pick him up, he is yours.