Tiger shovel nose catfish first time owner

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PanAntV

PanAntV

Gambusia
MFK Member
Aug 23, 2014
107
5
18
North Carolina
Is it normal for them to spend most of their time just laying on the bottom of the tank? I have 2 and they both act the same. They are both under 5 inches. One is 3.5 the other is about 4.5. What should I be feeding them? And how do I get them to eat? I've been feeding them black worms because that's what I feed my peacock bass. I've tried shrimp pellets blood worms and frozen beef heart. The beef heart I've only seen them eat a couple of times. They don't go after it like they do the black worms. The rest of the stuff they don't even pay attention to. It can literally be on their nose and they won't even move. Help a new catfish owner. These are the first bottom feeders I've ever had aside from pecos.
 
let them settle in. you'll have no problem feeding them after:) NEVER overfeed them as well. just be patient and try feeding them after the lights go out as they are nocturnal animals
 
Is it normal for them to spend most of their time just laying on the bottom of the tank? I have 2 and they both act the same. They are both under 5 inches. One is 3.5 the other is about 4.5.
***At these sizes this is not abnormal IME. They like some cover too at this size and age but would do it in the open too if it is safe.

What should I be feeding them?
***I'd try to get them to eat fish, whole or pieces. I hope they weren't fed live before but weaning them off live should not be a huge deal.

And how do I get them to eat?
***Keep offering food daily. Take out uneaten. Fast them a bit if needed.

I've been feeding them black worms because that's what I feed my peacock bass. I've tried shrimp pellets blood worms and frozen beef heart. The beef heart I've only seen them eat a couple of times. They don't go after it like they do the black worms. The rest of the stuff they don't even pay attention to. It can literally be on their nose and they won't even move.
***That sounds ok. Black worms are a great food for them if you can afford it and willing to mess with them. At this size, bloodworms are great too, just not efficient - need too many of them, still quite doable. Fish rarely would turn down bloodworms. If they do, they are not hungry or stressed = no appetite. Earthworms are nice too. I'd cut out the beef heart and stick with fleshy foods of aquatic origin. Pellets might be more of a challenge to get them to accept but not impossible either, esp. Hikari massivore and Co.
 
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