Umbee question

[monster187]

Hi all! Newbie here. I have a quick question I just picked up a 10 inch male Umbee. I drove for 5 long hours just to pick up this guy! It's been about 3 days now, and the umbee won't eat. Second day in the tank I tried to feed him, he doesn't even notice the pellets. Third day, he seems to show a bit of interest.. he goes up to the surface, and for a moment it looks like he might just take it, but then he backs off and swims the other direction. He's still pretty skittish. I assume he's probably still stressed out from the long 5 hour drive home, and still trying to adjust. He was in a community 125gal with a few Carpentis & a Syndo cat. Now he is currently in a 220gal by himself. Water temp is currently between 79-82 degrees. Okay, enough blabbing

.. so my question is, is it normal for an Umbee to be skittish & not feed for a few days once introduce to new tank?

 

[js302]

he's a mature guy and prob misses his old territory.
He's big enough and prob has enough fat to go a little while longer without food.

He's showing interest which is good, I'm sure he'll take food in the next 2 days.
Prob doesn't like what ur feeding too.

Try frozen, or massivore pellets or a nice juicy earthworm.
Turn the tank lights out and make sure water params are cool.

 

[Sab_Fan]

there's probably too problems here: 1) new home, makes a lot of cichlids skittish, but particularly adults, who have to adjust more; and 2) he's "by himself" now, which is another big change

give it some time to adjust to the new home, but after that some dithers or some other tank-mates might go a long way . . .

 

[monster187]

Thanks all, you guys was right. I guess he did just needed a lil' bit more time to adjust. Tonight for the 1st time in 3 days, he took down 5 NLS pellets!! and I actually saw him "exploring" his tank, picking at the gravel here & there. But he still dissapears into the corner once I get close enough though. It'll probably take a while for him to get use to me. Thanks for the food sugestion, js302. I'll definatly try thoes out. The big guy could use a variety in his diet. I'll try to snap a few pics once he settles in..

 

[GTS]

Understand that I am not trying to be an ass when I say this but...Are you sure its a male? Umbee are very difficult to sex even at 10" and larger.

 

[monster187]

Yeah, he's a comfirm male. I understand that a male Umbee is pretty hard to come by. The guy I picked him up from has a pretty good knowledge when it comes to Umbees. He's raised the fish since he was a 4"inch juvie. Now he's easily 10"inches, maybe even more! I'll get some pics in once the fish settles.

 

[GTS]

Yeah, he's a comfirm male. I understand that a male Umbee is pretty hard to come by. The guy I picked him up from has a pretty good knowledge when it comes to Umbees. He's raised the fish since he was a 4"inch juvie. Now he's easily 10"inches, maybe even more! I'll get some pics in once the fish settles.

Well congrats then.

 

[monster187]

Thanks.

 

[volcomstone]

Yea would love to see some pics of the beast! I'm glad he's scarfing down some NLS. I got my umbees eating everything...so far they're not picky...hope it continues *knock on wood*

 

[CubanB]

as already mentioned just give him time to adjust. he's now in a big tank by himself and it's all new territory to him. in a few weeks i think he'll be right out of his shell and eating like a pig!