Redtail Catfish

[Fishrfriendsh2o]

Welcome aboard

I agree with Caveden also as fish mature feeding habits and moods may change. Great to hear the Redtail Catfish is eating.

I also agree with the fact that he should not be in a 180g tank, however its almost like he does not want to be in the pond. I am going to do like the others mention and make caves, hiding places and add plants and stuff and hopefully that does the trick. If not, I do not know what else to do.

 

[Potato Patatto]

Is the pond cycled?

 

[Fishrfriendsh2o]

Is the pond cycled?

Yes it Is.

 

[Caveden]

If it isnt in the pond, it should be now. It’s a 24”, hence by now it is old and large enough to know not to starve itself. It will learn to adapt and eat quickly

 

[Tj203]

Yes, I know he should not be in a 180g. This is why I did the pond. I ordered some plants and picking stuff to make caves and stuff to see if that may help but if it doesn’t and weeks go by without him eating, I am certainly not going to push the issue and just leave him in the pond…

A fish a quarter that size could go a month without food With no adverse health Issues. When he gets hungry enough he'll eat. You can also try some bloodworms or blackworms. In my opinion I would definitely put him in the bigger tank and just leave him. As you stated you already know the tank he is in is too small. Hell be fine in the bigger tank just give it time a week is not a long time for fish not to eat

 

[Fishrfriendsh2o]

If it isnt in the pond, it should be now. It’s a 24”, hence by now it is old and large enough to know not to starve itself. It will learn to adapt and eat quickly

I am going to redo the pond this week with all the stuff I have coming and picking up amd putting him back in but this time I will give him more time in the pond, maybe pushit to a month but if he does not eat, I will have no choice but to take him back out. I certainly do not want him to decline in health…

 

[Fishrfriendsh2o]

A fish a quarter that size could go a month without food With no adverse health Issues. When he gets hungry enough he'll eat. You can also try some bloodworms or blackworms. In my opinion I would definitely put him in the bigger tank and just leave him. As you stated you already know the tank he is in is too small. Hell be fine in the bigger tank just give it time a week is not a long time for fish not to eat

I am goimg to try again when I redo the pond with caves, hides, plants, driftwood, etc. I got a big investment going with this pond. I give him a month or maybe longer but if he reduses to eat, I will have no choice but to take him out. I do not want him to decline in health…

 

[Tj203]

I am goimg to try again when I redo the pond with cabes, hides, plants, driftwood, etc. I got a big investment going with this pond. I give him a month or maybe longer but if he reduses to eat, I will have no choice but to take him out. I do not want him to decline in health…

If the water parameters are good and the fish is healthy, evolution will take over he will eventually eat when he gets hungry enough. I completely understand how scary and frustrating it is. But I have never heard of a health fish starving to death. Also I don't know if it works like it works for kids but but if you keep going back-and-forth he might just be holding out until he goes back into the other tank he likes better. Just a thought.
I hope you can get him to eat. I don't know if you tried the blood worms Or soaking some of the pellets in the blood juice. You can also try some live bait too. Primal instinct might just take over.

Best of luck

 

[Fishrfriendsh2o]

If the water parameters are good and the fish is healthy, evolution will take over he will eventually eat when he gets hungry enough. I completely understand how scary and frustrating it is. But I have never heard of a health fish starving to death. Also I don't know if it works like it works for kids but but if you keep going back-and-forth he might just be holding out until he goes back into the other tank he likes better. Just a thought.
I hope you can get him to eat. I don't know if you tried the blood worms Or soaking some of the pellets in the blood juice. You can also try some live bait too. Primal instinct might just take over.

Best of luck

Thanks! Trying my best here. I was so looking foward to him being in the pond and setting up my 180g into a mbuna tank but I guess I have to wait to see what happens…

 

[Caveden]

I am goimg to try again when I redo the pond with caves, hides, plants, driftwood, etc. I got a big investment going with this pond. I give him a month or maybe longer but if he reduses to eat, I will have no choice but to take him out. I do not want him to decline in health…

Trust me lol a redtail will definitely eat within a month. my peacock bass only 1/3 of your redtail’s size went 1.5 months without food