Spotted catfish hiding concern

[AmyKieran]

I have a Malawi tank filled with ocean rock. I have a spotted talking catfish in there but I never ever see it. This has been the same for easily over a month. I never see it at all during the day or night when I look but see the other catfish. All water parameters are perfect e.g ammonia, nitrate and nitrite all 0. Should I be concerned?

 

[enricosonic]

They are largely nocturnal fish. You mentioned other catfish but is this one the only one of its kind?

 

[Uberhoust]

If you haven't seen the fish in a month, that is a pretty long time. This fish could have died and the other fish ate him, that has happened to me with some fish, if the other fish ate him you wouldn't get a significant ammonia spike. On the other hand he could be hunkered down somewhere happy enough. I lost a bristlenose plec for over a month but when I tore down the tank he was happy and healthy inside a hollow root I put in the tank to provide him with deep shelter and a source of wood.

If you are talking about a striped raphael fish, they are kind of on the large size so I wouldn't expect them to be as effective a hider.

 

[AmyKieran]

They are largely nocturnal fish. You mentioned other catfish but is this one the only one of its kind?

Yes it’s the only one of its kind

 

[AmyKieran]

If you haven't seen the fish in a month, that is a pretty long time. This fish could have died and the other fish ate him, that has happened to me with some fish, if the other fish ate him you wouldn't get a significant ammonia spike. On the other hand he could be hunkered down somewhere happy enough. I lost a bristlenose plec for over a month but when I tore down the tank he was happy and healthy inside a hollow root I put in the tank to provide him with deep shelter and a source of wood.

If you are talking about a striped raphael fish, they are kind of on the large size so I wouldn't expect them to be as effective a hider.

No it’s a spotted Raphael, only maybe 4-5 inch

 

[AmyKieran]

Update -


I pulled away some rocks and the catfish was there, when checked if it was okay it swam around then went back there, seems to be eating well too. I’ve moved around the rocks in a way you can now see it much better

Thanks for all responses