I got him with my 30 gallon tank so he's lived there for 3 years (the lady said he was 3 years old). She sent his food (tropical flakes) with me. I've fed the fish 3 times in the past few days and the other fish eat but I never saw him eat. I even put in an algea wafer and he didn't go for that either. Why isn't he eating? Also, tips on catching a Tiger barb? I have a mean one who keeps nipping my shark's tail and he's got to go. I just can't catch the little booger.
2007-04-07 12:58:13 · 6 answers · asked by ♥Pretty♥ ♥Kitty♥ 7 in Pets ➔ Fish
I have 5 Tiger Barbs. The schooling thing isn't working. That one just keeps terrorizing my shark.
2007-04-07 12:59:11 · update #1
The lady had the shark for 3 years. I have the food she's been feeding him. He just isn't eating now. I thought I might try freeze dried worms.
2007-04-07 13:05:02 · update #2
I have a feeling he's eating at nite & you don't see it. I'd try some frozen blood worms, most fish love them. The barb? I know they are fast! Try putting the net in & leave it in for awhile so they all get use to it being there. He's bound to swim by it, when he does, nab him quick, take him to a pet store & tell them he's an aggressive fish. They'll put him with other fish like him. Hope you can catch him soon as he'll ruin the shark's tail - which BTW will grow back in time.
2007-04-07 14:09:13 · answer #1 · answered by Sue C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The shark is stressed. First, he's been moved. Second, he's being bullied. I'd also try lowering your temp if you have it in the high 70's/low 80's, to jumpstart his appetite. Also, their eyesight is bad, which makes them more nervous than a normal fish.
Also, try him with frozen brine shrimp or bloodworms in conjunction with his flakes. He won't go for algae wafers.
You don't mention how large he is, but in optimal conditions, this shark can get between 36 and 50 inches long!!! He'll be stunted in your tank (and may already have been stunted in the lady's tank). This causes internal organ damage, lowered immune system, etc.
Here is some info from Tim's Tropicals:
Scientific Name: Pangasius hypophthalmus
Family: Catfish
Temperature: 22 - 26 C; 72 - 79 F
PH 6.5 - 7.5
Size: 125 cm; 50 inches
Life Span: ?
Breeding: Difficult, Egg layer
Compatibility:
Too large for regular aquarium life.
2007-04-07 17:30:16 · answer #2 · answered by Barb R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your iridescent is still settling in from being moved, so just give him time. Plus, your barb is harassing him.
Do you have a tank divider? I've found these useful for separating fish (for catching them, too!). Just take out any decoration, put the divider in, and move it so all the fish are concentrated in one end of the tank. Remove them one at a time and the ones you want, put on the other side of the divider until you catch (or, remove all but) the bully. He's easier to catch when he doesn't have room to run, but be careful - he or another fish may try to jump out of the tank.
2007-04-07 13:28:34 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, as you are asking what you need to feed I'm assuming you have no idea they can get to 4 feet long at best and need to be in a tank over over 400 gallons. In a tank the size you have it won't get full sized and have organ failures and a slow and painful death. You need to feed it frozen foods and feeder fish when it gets big enough.
2016-05-19 21:45:14 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He may be eating when its dark? as for the tiger barb, i had to sit with the net in the water until mine piratically swam into it, mine was the same way he was eating my red tail and my molly.
yes i took him to the store and gave him to them, i didnt just flush him! lol
2007-04-07 13:04:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
some fish just won't eat flakes. try frozan brine shrimp. our mollies love it and so do our cichlids. our cichlids wouldn't eat flakes but they gobble up the frozen foods.
2007-04-07 13:01:25 · answer #6 · answered by sewingmom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋