TSN LOG: START TO FINISH

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littleg902

littleg902

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jan 26, 2010
386
70
61
Indianapolis
Alright after staying up countless hours looking at past threads, i have seen many of the same questions and problems arise.
As I just acquired a new 4 in. TSN, I am going to try to post a day by day log of its behavior, feeding, maintenance and husbandry/care.

I am doing this in the hopes that it will make it easier for some to keep smaller ones alive and grow them into monsters.

so heres what im going to post everyday:
-feedings (reactions, how much eaten, what was fed)
-water changes and behavior after that
-maintenance done and behavior afterwards
-pictures of him

He came from a small lfs and like most is addicted to feeders, most likely has some kind of underlying sickness, and is stressed.

Going to get water tested weekly at lfs, 10% water changes daily, and anything else you guys want me to add

He has three tanks waiting for him
2.5 gallon for first month but hopefully less
40 gallon
100 gallon
eventually to 400 gallon
My hopes for this guy are to outgrow the 400 gallon
 
Alright here are his housing, filtration, and everything else

no flaming for small quarantine tank, need him in it for first month to monitor closely.

TANK: plastic tub around 2.5-3 gallons
FILTER: Submersible rated for 3 gallons with air hose attached
HEATER: Rated for 2-5 gallons (room temp 72, should raise temp to 77)
LIGHTING: None until stress levels reduce
DECOR: None for first month
WATER CONDITIONING/MEDS: Seachem Prime, salt on hand for disease outbreak

FEEDING FOR FIRST WEEK:-(ADDICTED TO FEEDERS LIKE MOST FROM LFS)
ROSY REDS
GHOST SHRIMP
EARTH WORMS
(after establishing going to ween off of feeders)

10% water change everyday (half with RO water half with treated tap)

I will post the first days log with pics later today when I preform daily maintenance of tank
 
Alright...

Tank is looking a little cloudy. With TSN looking like he lost a bit of color.
Did a 25% water change with RO water and added a couple drops of prime to remove any nitrates or ammonia that could be present. Just to be safe im going to do another 30% water change later tonite.

TSN was very flighty, also appears to have lost a bit of color, but dont think its ammonia or nitrates because fins are not frayed and there is no rapid breathing or gasping.

but could be due to being on a light bottom without much light.

Attempted to feed him last nite with 1 rosy (black) and 4 ghost shrimp and did not eat them, but was moving around quite a bit last night.

Put in beef heart, and not really getting a response from him... Still prolly settling in.

He did on the other hand eat 1 rosy (red) yesterday, so im going to try to give him a red one instead of a black one and see how that goes. Also going to try earthworms tonite...

I always use stock tubs that are a bit small for my newly acquired TSN cats as they tend to be very flighty when young, and softer plastic tends to prevent them from hurting themselves as opposed to glass

pics:

IMG00087.jpg

IMG00088.jpg
 
I was at my LFS today and saw some 2" TSNs in a tank there. For half a second I had an urge to get one, then remembered that it would last in my 20g for about two weeks, and moved on. Very cool looking fish though.
 
Well, changed 50% of the water with RO water around 8:00 p.m.

Im in a rural area and pretty sure there is a lot of nitrates in the water and since cat fish (especially juveniles) are so sensitive, decided to use all RO water with 2 drops of prime.

turned all the lights out and tried earthworms and rosey reds....again no luck getting him to eat

He still has a very light color, which I thought the water change would make it go back to normal.

This is certainly a tricky one but im always up for a challenge
 
Might be a good idea to take a sample of that water the LFS tomorrow.
He should be eating, no need for live foods especially if they are bought and not quarantined.
 
He was fed feeders at the LFS, so I just get the feeders from there. He is also only been in my possession for 4 days.

I also am able to net out the feeders myself, so I pick and choose only the healthiest ones, yet I still realize there is some chance of infection.
 
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