Bagarius Bagarius wont eat!~

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bahamaqt00

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 7, 2009
765
1
0
kirkland wa
Hey guys I just picked up my first 2" bagarius last week and he won't eat, and to be honest he wont do much of anything! I don't think he has moved more than a couple inches in the last week :screwy: He is still breathing and moves a little bit when another fish bumps into him but that's about it. I'm getting a little worried because he isn't eating. He doesn't even acknowledge that food is in the tank. I have tried blood worms, cut up beef heart, and feeder guppies. He is in the tank with a 2" indo datnoid and two baby bowfins. Tank size is 55gals, Temp is currently at 82 degrees, and I keep the lights off for atleast half of the day if not more.

I have tried using the search but not much came up for the bagarius bagarius. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great!

Thanks!
 
This article provides numerous reasons it might not be eating.

http://www.scotcat.com/factsheets/b_bagarius.htm

It even says that they don't like to be watched while they feed. Also, this fish is accustomed to fast moving, highly-oxygenated water. Is your tank accomodating that aspect? I'd also recommend you test your water.

Hill-stream fish can be very difficult to take care of. I'm sure this species is hardier than most hill-streamers, but you're really going to need to cater to him with current and oxygen until he is larger.

- Michael
 
with bagarius its about temperature.
yours is much to high. try 70-73
 
Thanks for the article! Yes the tank is over-filtered so there is quite a bit of water movement. There is also a large air stone in the tank. Do you think this is enough? I haven't seen the need for a power head or anything because all the fish are so small it would just blow them around. I have tried turning the lights out during feeding and left the room and maybe he is eating and I just dont see it? He doesn't necessarily look skinny but I am just concerned because he never moves! He stays in one spot all the time. Is this normal?
 
I would turn the temperature down a little bit and then tonight drop some tablets or pellets in, preferably something small and meaty like a Cichlid pellet or something from Hikari.

I say use pellets because it is unlikely that its tankmates will eat them (unless they are on pellets already - unlikely if they're being offered live guppies and bloodworms). This way, if the pellets disappear, you can be sure that he is eating.

It's a method I've used in the past, but of course it won't work if any of your other fish are eating pellets.
 
I will turn down the temperature a little bit because the bowfin wont mind. I don't have any sinking pellets (only have aro sticks) but I will try to get some. I don't know if anyone else in the tank will eat them though. I have never tried. Thanks for the info guys!
 
My guess is predators like the ones you listed won't eat a pellet if they haven't ever been offered one. Maybe the bowfins, but probably not.

Get some if you can. I bet it will work and your catfish will have a meal to itself every night.
 
Madding;4051041; said:
My guess is predators like the ones you listed won't eat a pellet if they haven't ever been offered one. Maybe the bowfins, but probably not.

Get some if you can. I bet it will work and your catfish will have a meal to itself every night.
Click to expand...

Yes, I will definitely do so. Thanks!
 
Try some earthworms ;)
 
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