Pangasius Not Eating

[SMSChris]

Hello everyone,

So I recently ended up saving 2 ID sharks, each of them about 12" give or take. The previous owner had them in far too small of a tank so off I went to the rescue. He said I could either take them or he'd eat them, so yea...

Anyways, 2 weeks pass by now and they are as happy as can be in their new 315 gal home. Now I know some fish take longer to adjust than others, but I've never had any of my other guys go over 2 weeks without eating before. Should I just keep waiting it out or should I try to do something to get their appetites going?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Do you know what they like and dislike?

These stress easy, very easy - need good water, oxygen, dim lights, no sudden lights, sounds, movements, no bullying or even mild harassing. If you think that they are stress-free and comfortable, 2 weeks is not surprising. Albeit this is a good cause to evaluate if anything MAY be wrong and read up on them, I'd start being mildly concerned after 2 months.

Of course, they may not be healthy.

How has the rehoming gone?

 

[SMSChris]

Do you know what they like and dislike?

These stress easy, very easy - need good water, oxygen, dim lights, no sudden lights, sounds, movements, no bullying or even mild harassing. If you think that they are stress-free and comfortable, 2 weeks is not surprising. Albeit this is a good cause to evaluate if anything MAY be wrong and read up on them, I'd start being mildly concerned after 2 months.

Of course, they may not be healthy.

How has the rehoming gone?

They freaked out a bit after going into the tank. They basically stayed huddled together in a corner for about 2 days. After that though, they've been swimming nonstop all over the place. The only harassment they ever got was from my goby when they were first introduced, but he just ignores them now. They don't get spooked or startled by anyone near the tank, which is good. They just keep on swimming.

 

[krichardson]

Have you done a water change since you have had them? My sharks tend to lose all their appetite when I get behind with my water changes.As soon as the water change is done they are back to eating like pigs.

 

[SMSChris]

Have you done a water change since you have had them? My sharks tend to lose all their appetite when I get behind with my water changes.As soon as the water change is done they are back to eating like pigs.

Yea. Yesterday they went through their second water change since being with me. I normally do about 40% once a week. If I get behind then it ends up being like a week and a half.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Good to know but you have not addressed water parameters, aeration, and lighting.

 

[SMSChris]

Good to know but you have not addressed water parameters, aeration, and lighting.

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5ppm

Nitrate is never over 10. I keep the lights on their dimmest setting. As far as aeration goes, I have 2 powerheads that I use to increase surface agitation. Not a big fan of bubblers.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Sounds like you know what you are doing, esp. if the parameters are by a liquid test tube test. Dimmest setting is vague but looks like you should know.

Just wait it out. I would not but you could start finagling with their food (e.g., "garlic'ing" it up) or find out what exactly they were fed by their prior piscivorous, pet-consumption-inclined owner.

 

[krichardson]

I don't know what else to tell you if the water quality is not an issue,as I've already said that is the cause of my pangasius cats going on their fasts.Hopefully they will come around and start eating soon.

 

[SMSChris]

Sounds like you know what you are doing, esp. if the parameters are by a liquid test tube test. Dimmest setting is vague but looks like you should know.

Just wait it out. I would not but you could start finagling with their food (e.g., "garlic'ing" it up) or find out what exactly they were fed by their prior piscivorous, pet-consumption-inclined owner.

Yea I do the tests through a liquid test tube kit that I have. Well I don't recall the brand, but they're a set of LED lights with about 10 different settings that I have hooked up to the canopy.

And the owner only ever fed them trout pellets, which I've considered purchasing just to get them to start eating, but for the life of me I can't find any anywhere near me.