SOS how do you keep a gulper catfish alive?

[candidpets]

AT LFS anytime we bring one in it dies. STaff have no idea how to keep them alive.

IS it the goldfish they feed it? the pellets? the minnows? rosey reds?

What is the best way? DROp some big shrimp in there? raw smelt? WHen they get bigger whole sardines? IF they swallow bigger fish themselves it wont kill them right? just make them healtier?

GOldfish and rosey have no value to eating them which is why i am guessing they die in pet stores so fast?

 

[kno4te]

I suspect the fish aren't being acclimated properly.

 

[candidpets]

no thats the thing they are. They die within like 2 weeks thats why i am thinking it must be the feeders.

 

[celebrist]

I think you feed them cichlids twice their size

 

[kno4te]

Seems to quick to be from feeders but just me.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Gulpers need soft and acidic water. If your water's hard and alkaline, that may be it.

 

[Nj76]

I gave mine fishes that are slightly smaller in size (about 1inch to 2inches smaller) as afraid they might have difficulty swallowing bigger fishes,although normally that will not happen as seen other keepers feeding theirs the same size fishes. My gulpers also seemed to do very well in lower ph (around 6.0)