Blue whale catfish growout

[Deadeye]

What do you mean by bites? He has tiny whiskers that look like a small beard like how mine is. When you’re a teenager and just growing facial hair but on the fish there’s 2 tiny whiskers that are a bit bigger than the other 2 super tiny ones between the two bigger ones. And yes these guys rest. Mine will sit at the bottom of the tank and for about 5 seconds stays really still breathes slowly and tilts to one side then he corrects himself swims around and a little bit later he does the same thing. In the wild the probably wedge themselves between rocks or in the mud to rest and not get thrown around. Should I place the powerhead on the back glass panel in the middle?

Does he bite?

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Does he bite?

A little advice when invading or getting close to an animal. If it has a mouth then it will bite. And yes he swam at my arm but I was watching him the entire time and had time to move me hand out of the tank

 

[Rtc/tsn]

that’s why I said to get the higher flow one. It should be near the top of the waterline so the venturi valve provides more oxygen than if it were closer to the substrate. The flow should go through the length of the tank so stick it on either the left or right side.

It does not go the entire length of then tank it only goes about 6 inches from the valve when it’s at max power but I have it under the waterline I’ll put it above right now and see if there’s a difference

 

[Rocksor]

It does not go the entire length of then tank it only goes about 6 inches from the valve when it’s at max power but I have it under the waterline I’ll put it above right now and see if there’s a difference

Having it in powerhead mode with the plastic tubing will provide more oxygen, and you should see bubbles coming out. If you don’t see bubbles, then the powerhead is submerged too much or the vent on the tube is not opened enough. At least half of the head on the powerhead should not be submerged

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Having it in powerhead mode with the plastic tubing will provide more oxygen, and you should see bubbles coming out. If you don’t see bubbles, then the powerhead is submerged too much or the vent on the tube is not opened enough. At least half of the head on the powerhead should not be submerged

I found a spot that gets it through the entire tank and the catfish loves it he’s currently swimming all around the tank and sometimes sits at bottom or swims in place going against the current. This is so awesome I’ll upload a video in a bit for you all to see.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Also what temperature do you think this guy needs? Do you think the motor will produce enough heat so that I don’t need my heater plugged in so I can have the light on?

 

[Deadeye]

Also what temperature do you think this guy needs? Do you think the motor will produce enough heat so that I don’t need my heater plugged in so I can have the light on?

Heater is probably necessary. Being an Amazon fish it’s gonna like 76-80. It is also probably sensitive to light so would prefer them off or dimmed.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Heater is probably necessary. Being an Amazon fish it’s gonna like 76-80. It is also probably sensitive to light so would prefer them off or dimmed.

I took down my black curtains from when I used to play video games so now the only thing coming in is natural sunlight plus the lightbulb in my room. He swims around so much more now and yea his eyes are extremely small so I’m guessing he’s a nocturnal hunter and extremely sensitive to light so I’m going to be using day and night as an on and off light. He hasn’t ate today. I just tried feeding and he didn’t notice any of it like the last 2 times I’ve fed him. I even tried an entire tilapia fillet and he just ignored it I’m going to fast him for one day and the day after tomorrow what do you suggest I try feeding.

 

[Rtc/tsn]

Should I try a crawfish( I’ll remove pinchers) maybe snails or see what he does to a guppy. I’d rather him stick to some type of meat preferably dead and filleted like maybe also shrimp

 

[Deadeye]

He is likely still stressed from the move. Lots of the predators sulk for a while after being moved. Based on the look of its mouth, it appears to be a small game hunter eating small fish and shrimps, or tearing flesh from a larger fish like a piranha. Maybe toss some guppies or ghost shrimp in there to curb his appetite.
Being a wild caught fish it also wouldn’t hurt to deworm him just in case.