RTC TSN has made the switch to nocturnal?

[cwj108]

My one juvie RTC TSN was out and about a lot the first two weeks that I had him, barely ever hidden and ate everything in sight (grew an inch+ in that time ), but now he has become nocturnal. He waits for me to come down in the morning so I can feed him and then as soon as he is full, he is into his hide until tomorrow. Is this normal?
Also, should I worry about him growing funny as he is clearly longer than his hide and spends the day curled up in there? The hide wasn't meant for him but clearly it is his now. It was more of a decoration but don't want to take it out if it makes him feel secure... but dont want to keep it in there if it will will be bad for him due to how fast they grow. My wife didn't believe me when I told her they grow fast, we have had him for almost three weeks and he has doubled in overall size and I think she is freaked out haha.
Sorry if these questions sound dumb, this is my first RTC TSN and I am still learning their behavior (don't worry I did months of research before buying, I know what size home they need and how big/fast they grow). I am a "fish nerd" as my wife calls me, what my fish need... they get.

Thanks in advance for the help, I have spent hours reading through previous threads on these guys... lots of good info! I am a relatively new member, before this sight I used to use google, not anymore.

 

[wednesday13]

Sounds like everything is fine and ur doing well...most cats in my experience kinda lay low a bit when there growing so he may just be going through a spurt. Im sure he will become more active again soon. As for his hiding spot, very normal also, most bottom dwellers enjoy their cover. Another tip is dont stuff him full of food every day non stop. I had a 14" rtcxtsn blow his anus out from me over feeding years ago before i learned. Pack him with a nice bump in the belly, just dont over do it. Not bad to let him digest for a day every once in a while either. Post some pics! Nice work if he doubled in size in 3 weeks

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[strollo22]

Agreed with above. Over feeding will also cause a fish to be less active, just like us after we eat a big meal.


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[MonsterMinis]

x3 I also found once my cats settled in they became more nocturanl. which is their nature. imo it means hes settling in well.. and they are fun to watch grow.. ours was about 2" when i first brought him home.. he's now over a foot.

 

[cwj108]

Thanks guys, I think I may have been overfeeding from the way it sounds, they usually have a big ole bulge after feeding. I cut their intake down by over half this morning, gonna give them a digestion day. Here are some pics. I picked up two at my LFS, one ate right out of the bag from the store, the other didn't eat for a few days. Over the first 4 days you can see a noticeable growth in the one who ate, and the one who didn't.

Day 1, hangin out together

Day 2, seemed as if the bigger one grew a half inch over night.

The big guy after feeding at night

Trying to hog the camera

 

[cwj108]

 

[cwj108]

Those pics were taken 2 weeks ago, you should see him now. If he comes out today, ill see if I can get a good pic. Also, do massivore and carnivore pellets make your water cloudy? My ammonia and nitrite are 0 and nitrate 5ppm but for the last few weeks (ever since I started them on this food, I have noticed a different smell to the water and it is a little cloudy).

 

[MonsterMinis]

massivore is nasty gross if they don't eat it all.

 

[cwj108]

Yea I make sure to vac it out if they dont eat any, that and the sinking carnivore pellets!

 

[cwj108]

He came out tonight, got a decent pic. I think I figured out my cloudy water... algae bloom. I noticed tonight that one of my rocks that was clear last night, has it all over the place tonight. Anyway... heres the progress...

May 7:
View attachment 916521


May 22: a hair under 8 inches