Help - Banded cat shark not eating - hatched 2 weeks ago

[twcp]

We have a banded cat shark that hatched two weeks ago and still hasn't eaten. We started trying to feed it by using live ghost shrimp held in forceps and frozen squid and frozen krill held in forceps. After a week of not eating, we moved it to an isolation tank and also started trying live tetras held in forceps, frozen blood worm, frozen brine shrimp and cut pieces of frozen silversides. In the last few days we started adding Garlic Extreme to the food and placing a drop into the tank water at feeding times. We have held all the food right in front of its mouth and it doesn't show any interest. We have also made past from the frozen blood worm and brine shrimp cubes and squirted it right in front of its mouth, but still no interest. If anyone has any suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated. From reading other threads it seems that the shark doesn't have much longer if it doesn't eat soon. Thanks.

 

[Cu455]

Maybe the pieces you are using are to big, try smaller pieces of squid.

 

[twcp]

The live food, tetras and ghost shrimp, are on the small end of the typical size ranges for each. The squid, krill and silversides are from frozen flat packs and have been given at various sizes. The squid has been cut down to about the size of a tong on a dinner fork to larger pieces that would require the shark to bite it off. Krill has usually been tried whole. Silver sides have been cut down, but not as far as the squid. Bloodworms, brine shrimp, etc from frozen cubes are pretty small. The local grocery store has fresh scallops, salmon, Pollock, bass, shrimp, crab legs, etc. I am thinking of getting some fresh fish to try, any suggestions? I have also thought of getting frozen beef heart cubes, good idea? Also, is there any way to get its mouth open so I could squirt in some bloodworms or paste mixture?

 

[Chicxulub]

Moved to Sharks/Rays. Hopefully Zoodiver spots this and chimes in!

 

[twcp]

Tonight we tried fresh shrimp and fresh chicken
liver, both from the local grocery store. The shark didn't show interest in
either. Also tried another ghost shrimp. After that we did catch the shark, by
hand, and turn it over to its back, in the water. It opened its mouth slightly
and we were able to squirt in a little bit of bloodworms (from a frozen cube)
mixed in chicken blood. Hopefully we didn't stress it out too much. Please let
us know if you have any suggestions, I feel like time is quickly running
out.

 

[Zoodiver]

Your best bet is going to be raw/fresh salmon. It's like oily candy for shark pups.

I'd stick with shrimp/krill/marine fish products to get it eating. The closer you get to natural diet, the better off you'll be.

Tell us more about the tank set up? Water parameters, size, tank mates etc....

 

[twcp]

Unfortunately, the shark died overnight. It had been 17 days since it hatched. It did not have any visible yolk sac when it hatched. When we handled it last night, it didn't really resist. I'm not sure handling had any benefit, but I do believe it stressed the shark and pushed it over the edge. The egg was kept in a 70g with a porcupine puffer (3 inches), Kole Tang (small) and 2 Green Chromis. After 10 days of not eating, we moved the banded cat shark to a 10 gallon isolation tank. The isolation tank had a 20 gallon power head and had 1/3 water change every 2 days using partially new saltwater and partial water from the big tank. This was done in order to get the water temp to match. A piece of live rock from the big tank was also in the isolation tank to give it a hiding spot. The parameters in both tanks were 8.0 ph, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate. I don't believe we will be trying this again, but I would still like any suggestions on what could have been done differently.

 

[Zoodiver]

I'd say keep other fish away when they first hatch. Puffers and tangs can pick at the sharks when the lights go out. The stress related to it can prevent them from having that drive to feed.