how to get new 16" tig to eat?

[Scorponok]

How do you get your newly acquried big tig to eat? I believe it's from the river, and was eating bloodworms and goldfish in the dealer's tank.

I have it for about two weeks now and it hasn't eaten. I have been trying with small goldfish and market shrimp. No luck. I can't put bloodworms because I have undergravel with gravel, the worms will dig and disappear.

It's tankmates are two Jurs and one is eating market shrimp and goldfish while the smaller Jurs is also new to the tank and eating nothing.

How do I get it to eat in my situation? Should I remove the gravel and UGF and use bloodworms? Try handfeed? Help......

 

[amazonfishman]

I would try nightcrawlers(earthworms). Mine loves them and grabs them as soon as they get near its face. thats a big tank to have an undergravel filter...usually those are on smaller tanks only but I'm assuming its a big tank if you've got a 16" tig in there. Hikari sinking carnivore pellets or massivore pellets would be another good option. I would make sure your water parameters are where they should be, soft water, neutral pH, low to zero nitrites, low nitrates, plenty of oxygen in the water. ~Trent

 

[M|L]

I know this may sound a little gruesome, but use large earthworms or night crawlers, make a small incision so the gut bleeds out and your fish should be able to smell/taste the worm in the water. this should encourage the fish to feed.

I've heard that using garlic will also trigger a fish's appetite.

 

[necrocanis]

I catch tons of night crawlers by spraying the ground at night with water for a little while. After the ground is saturated I wait about 30 mins and I can catch tons of them. Have to be quick because the retreat to their holes quickly. They are also shy of light.

 

[Scorponok]

Thanks for the advice. I will stop by a bait shop today and get some worms.

 

[CORVETTE]

How about frozen red worms mine loves them

 

[flagtail]

Turn off lights on tank and room......

Feed in total darkness, maybe jsut some subdued light from another room!

I have feed shrimp, Beedheart, and Tig not moved......with the food just sitting on bottom for 5-10 minutes......

Seconds after lights out, all 6-7 pieces picked off....

Tig new exactly where the food was, but did not move till lights off...LOL

Good luck

 

[Scorponok]

Well I got some earthworms and dropped a few into the tank this afternoon and evening. The tig ran away from them?!! Some worms went missing so I am assuming the Jurs got them. Again, it has been two weeks this guy hasn't eaten. Is this normal or that's too long for still being accomendated?

The water parameters are ammonia 0.5, nitrite 0, and nitrate 10. Got an air pump for UGF, two xp3 canisters, a 32W UV, and a powerhead for water current. Why isn't it eating? Should I isolate it and get rid of the Jurs?

 

[necrocanis]

your params are a little off. Could be a cause. 0.5 ammonia could be enough to make your fish sick. Not too high though. Rapid gill movement?

 

[Bogwoodbruce]

Maybe try frozon Bloodworm? It shouldn't get into your undergravel. But an undergravel isn't really the best method of filteration for big fish. But hey if it works for you carry on.