SaberTooth Payara Eating trouble

[Logan487]

Just wondering if anyone has had any luck getting stubborn Payara to eat. I got this little guy about 2 weeks ago, hes in a 75 for now until I get a 220 up and going and is about 4 - 5 inches long. Ive tried rosy reds, goldfish, chunks of cod and even a few gold tetra hoping the flashing of thier sides would attract him. Ive even tried a Serpae tetra hoping that the similar body shape to red bellies would get him to eat him, no luck. Tank is fairly bright and is more of an 'open water' type setup with the flow coming from one side of the tank to simulate a river and thier habitat.

 

[krichardson]

Give it some time to settle in, sometimes it takes them a few weeks before they start eating and some will eat as soon as you get them home.I had a redtail payara shipped to me and it took down an appollo shark as soon as I put it in the tank.Which species do you have?

 

[frnchjeep]

I have found that mine like to hide during the day and come out at night. Maybe give him a rock or something to hide behind to help him feel more comfortable.

 

[Logan487]

Hydrolycus scomberoides I noticed today he seems to have grown an absess on his mouth since I got him. Ive redone the tank to provide shadows and even went as far as to get some fake lily pads for the top of the tank so I guess we will see what happens.

 

[Woody05]

I just got one and he ate 5 rosys the second day. but i had the same problem with a red tail barracuda, hes probably still nervous with the new tank.