Pictus Cat not eating!

[pondfreak4365]

We got a new to us, Pictus Cat earlier this week. He is housed, just for quarantine in a 10 US gal setup, will be moved to 75 US gallon in 3 weeks. We have tried frozen brine shrimp, frozen bloodworm, flake, shrimp pellets and sinking catfish pellets. I've only seen him eat once, the catfish pellets which he caught on the way down. He never seems to do anything at the bottom of the tank, at least while I'm awake. This is a large cat, 5 inches already, the LFS said he would eat frozen brine shrimp. How long will he survive without food? What should I do?

 

[CFC]

Sounds like he is lonely, pictus cats preffer to live in small groups, they dont really shoal but more kind of hang out together. If you get him some friends then make sure you get at least 2 (to make up a group of 3), if kept in just a pair then one fish will become dominant and bully the lesser fish. Pims can also be reluctant to take frozen foods, try some live bloodworms and see if they get him going.
When feding your pictus it is best to just feed them every other day, allow them to eat enough to make them look like they have swallowed a marble then give them 48 hours to digest the meal.
I expect he is inactive because of the size of the tank, pims need a lot of room to swim as they are constantly active, once the quarentine is over and he goes into the larger tank he should perk up.

 

[pondfreak4365]

Thanks CFC,
Do you think it would be wiser to get a couple more now and have all 3 in the q-tank? I think 10 gallons is way too small for 1, not to mention 3. Also, will smaller pictus be ok? He is large and scary to me Thanks.

 

[CFC]

Smaller pictus cats will be fine, they do not eat their own , if theyre small (under 3") id add them to the 10g with the existing one, it'll give them a chance to get to know one and other before being added to the big tank so that when added they will form a group for security, will help stop any territorial problems too.

 

[pondfreak4365]

Thanks CFC,
Sounds totally logical, I'll pick up 2 more tomorrow! You make this forum a nice place.

 

[pondfreak4365]

Just an update: We got 2 more smaller pictus cats and our big baby is so happy! He immediately just went to the bottom of the tank and kinda snuggled next to one of the new boys! All are eating their bloodworms and I may try some live food this week.

Thanks again CFC for the great advice!

 

[CFC]

Glad it all worked out for you Its a shame that so many people dont realise that pimeloid catfishes are as much shoal fish as corys, even the larger species like tiger shovelnoses preffer to be in groups.

 

[Fishy Jon]

Try buying a few more maybe 2 to 3 because they like to live in groups. Anyway it should eat of the bottom too, but you're going to need to feed it.

Jon

 

[macpegg]

Hi i`ve just got apictus, and he eats too much. his belly bulges and rest on it, its soo funny.. Mine eats "JMC Catfish Pellets" its currently shares a 6ft tank, with comminity fish at the moment. and will soon have to be moved to another tank where i have the bigger breeds..

 

[graemesmith]

and I just got a new one yesterday. This morning I am missing a tigerbarb and there is one big fat belly and a smile on the face of the cat........

 

[CFC]

Hi i`ve just got apictus, and he eats too much. his belly bulges and rest on it, its soo funny.. Mine eats "JMC Catfish Pellets" its currently shares a 6ft tank, with comminity fish at the moment. and will soon have to be moved to another tank where i have the bigger breeds..

The best way to feed any pimeloid catfish is to fed them every other day enough so that their bellies look like they have swallowed a large round object.

By bigger breeds i hope you dont mean in with your RTC and TSN!!!! Even a large pictus will end up as lunch for large pedatory cats like them, the community tank is where a pictus belongs as long as there is no fish under 2" (5cm) as tank mates.

JMC catfish pellets are very good, all my catfish, small and large enjoy them

 

[macpegg]

Oh rite, i was a bit worried about placing him in with the bigger breeds.. just abit worried aboyt me comminity fish...

 

[BlackWolf0503]

They will bully. My buddy has one in his Cichlids Tank & he bully them all. It's pretty funny watch a Pseudotropheus getting chased by a Cat 1/2" smaller.