New Red tail catfish not eating! so frustrating!

[FishBoy185]

Okay so I bought a 4 inch red tail from the LFS last night so I've had him for about a day. This guy is so stubborn I swear. Hes currently in a 75 gallon grow out tank untill he gets bigger to be put in my pond. I put in sinking carnivore pellets by Hikari and he puts them in his mouth but spits them back out! If I had known these guys were so tricky to feed I wouldnt of bought one. Hes living with a single parrot fish also. Is he not eating becasue he still needs time to settle or what? Please give me some advice. Thank you!

 

[Brandon D.]

My guess is he's gettin used to his new home them bad boys will eat and eat and eat give him a day or two to come around and you will practically be watchin him grow

 

[bettaowner]

He's probably still stepping in. Most large catfish are not picky eaters.

 

[rhsoto94]

My red tail was the same he wouldn't ever eat flakes or pellets. But I would always seen him scavenging through the sand. He grew big and healthy without ever taking prepared food so I think they get what they need just through scavenging the bottoms. Now that he's matured he does take bloodworms, flakes, pellets and bring shrimp.

 

[Legit Fish]

they are actually not very picky it is just because he is getting used to his tank and new food.

 

[pip walters]

My red tail was the same he wouldn't ever eat flakes or pellets. But I would always seen him scavenging through the sand. He grew big and healthy without ever taking prepared food so I think they get what they need just through scavenging the bottoms. Now that he's matured he does take bloodworms, flakes, pellets and bring shrimp.

You sure yours isn't a red tail shark? Doesn't sound much of a diet for fish that grows to over two feet

 

[pip walters]

Try earth worms. The movement will tdigger his predatory response.

 

[Catfish Lover]

Be patient, he will eat when he's ready. My rule is I don't even feed new fish for first 2 days to let them adjust to there new environment, because chances are high that they won't touch the food.