New Turashukin Cat - Oxydoras Niger

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Hey guys thanks for the posts! Sounds like the consensus is that they are pigs lol. 2 Questions:

1) How long will it take before he starts eating. Had him for 2 days.

2) What should be his feeding routine? I ask because I read somewhere to do a massive feeding (stuff the fish) and then let them go for a week before starting the process over. (mimicking their wild feeding behavior?)
 
Empyreal said:
Hey guys thanks for the posts! Sounds like the consensus is that they are pigs lol. 2 Questions:

1) How long will it take before he starts eating. Had him for 2 days.

2) What should be his feeding routine? I ask because I read somewhere to do a massive feeding (stuff the fish) and then let them go for a week before starting the process over. (mimicking their wild feeding behavior?)
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Agree with all the above.

On your q's. He may take hours to adjust or even a week or two. He will let you know when he is hungry by coming out and looking for food, especially when you feed his tankmates. If he is alone, leave some food overnight and if not gone in the morning, remove it.

They thrive on sand substrate which they sift through all day and for certain all night. Black worms residing in the substrate often help get them started quite well.

The feeding behavior you describe fits predatory cats that are adults or sub-adults. O. niger is not a predator at all. It is a scavenger and substrate sifter. He eats smaller meals but ~ continuously.

Have a read at the fish profiles, please, if you have not already. This fish requires a huge commitment and lots of research:

http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=37

http://www.fishbase.us/summary/Oxydoras-niger.html

http://www.seriouslyfish.com/species/oxydoras-niger/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxydoras_niger
 
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@thebiggerthebetter, thanks good to know. I have been leaving food at night, but I have never seen him feed. I think it is getting eaten by my other fish overnight. I do have sand substrate thankfully. I will look into the sources you sent me, thank you!
 
Also I have my tank set to 80 degrees F for my cichlids. According to the info you gave me the top of their range is 75 degrees F. Would this cause a problem or could he adjust?
 
80 is fine. I've had several of these guys. They are gentle giants. Timid during the day when small but will quickly outgrow that.
 
Empyreal said:
Also I have my tank set to 80 degrees F for my cichlids. According to the info you gave me the top of their range is 75 degrees F. Would this cause a problem or could he adjust?
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I have been concerned with this datum from PCF and FishBase for a while. Here is a small discussion on this topic, even including the input from Mark Sabaj (via Mats Petersson): http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32393&hilit=+niger

It appears, younger guys prefer warmer; mature ones prefer cooler in the wild. IME, both are quite adaptable.

I'd encourage you to keep learning about your fish behavior and what indicates wellness and what indicates problems. Your fish will let you know if it is not doing well, if and only if you pay close attention and know what to look for. How it eats. What it eats. What it poops. Where it positions itself in the tank. How it breathes. How it interacts with tank-mates and you. How it swims. When it swims. What's its looks, vigor. Etc. This hobby is very involved for those who strive for their pets. Much, much, much more so than for cats and dogs... and in the case of your fish, 2-4 timers longer as these can easily live 20-30, even 50 years.
 
I will do, and I am constantly checking him out seeing how he is doing, along with my other fish. In fact, sometimes I feel and am overworried (ex: not been eating for two days) but my goal is to learn as much as I can from those with experience, such as yourself, and apply it to my own fish to the best of my ability - so they can be happy and healthy.
 
I think you'll do just fine. If he is new to the tank and has not eaten in 2 days but otherwise looks and behaves good, your knowledge should save you unneeded worrying because you know it can take 1-2 weeks easily to adjust to the new water, new tank, diet, tankmates, shake off the stress from transport.
 
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