They are not built really for active swimming as you can tell by there shape, they seem to rely on the cryptic colouration as there main defence, and just act like a fallen leaf on the substrate. Is it trying to bury itself in any way?
Rescued this Chaca Catfish Today-I think it's going to die though
- Thread starter balton777
- Start date
Yeah I can tell by their shape but I would think he'd at least squirm and wiggle when I grab him. He's not burying himself in the sand either like he should.
Thanks everyone for giving me advice. Sorry if I sound like I'm being whiney....
Geeeez man yall sound like a mother in law
Just kidding
Well Chef, if he dies I'm giving him to you, so you can serve him blackened with a shrimp and scallop topping.
Alright, here's what I did. I took him out of the big tank and moved him to a 20L with some guppies. He'll be stress free there and can snatch some snacks if he chooses. Hopefully he'll get some strength and recover.
I don't want you to die either. Oh, no! Somebody help the OP! He might die! He's acting like his species should! Somebody help!
Chaca will lower the pH of their tanks all by themselves, no worries there unless you're trying to keep him in buffered water. Expect a newly acquired chaca to remain motionless for a very long time. Best to put it into a cave and avoid touching it. They hold still as a defense mechanism, and it's extremely stressful for the animal. What you see as a motionless creature is actually screaming inside, "Oh, god, oh god, please think I'm a leaf! Please think I'm a leaf!". I can pick up my banjo catfish and my amblydoras nauticus the same way. They just lay there like dead toys until I put them down, then they run for cover. But don't expect the chaca to do a thing until all sources of stress are removed. It needs a dark, motionless tank where you can't see it. For days on end. Or weeks. He is well-grown and fat and might not eat for two or three weeks. You've got to relax, your stress might kill this healthy, innocent and beautiful fish.
Again, are there any actual signs that it is sick?
THANK YOU, Knifegill. THAT'S the info I'm looking for. I didn't know if his behavior is normal or not. There's no signs he's sick, it's just that I know absolutely nothing about this fish. He seemed like he was just about to die. Today he finally stopped playing dead and moved to a shaded spot, and he's covered himself with sand.
Btw, I'm wondering why you think I said I'm going to die. I said I don't want the fish to die lol.
One more thing, I thought of a perfect tankmate if I want to win the 'most boring tank' contest. I'll get him a African leaf fish hahaha.
Thats a cool fish bud, not boring, well kinda boring lol. At least it's only taking up a 20L tank. I think it's a great addition to a catfish collection. Awesome pick up. Good to know the fish is doing okay. Looking forward to feeding updates 
