My pictus catfish isn't eating...?

Question

my pictus catfish isn't eating. i put shrimp pellets in the tank so it can sink to the bottom but he's just ignoring them.

Answer 1

Have you seen if they eat the food on top? Pictus catfish aren't necessarily bottom feeders, they love fresh food as much as any other fish does, and they won't wait until the food comes to the bottom of the tank to eat it. Mine always race to the top and fight the other fish for food, sometimes they're the only ones who are fast enough to eat!

When the food on the top is gone, they'll reluctantly go to the bottom to look for food but don't expect them to pay full attention to sinking pellets because that's sort of like last resort food for them.

Try alternating between foods; flake, frozen food like brine shrimp and bloodworms, Pictus are big eaters and eventually notice that eating isn't a problem for them at all, they're always hungry! :)

Answer 2

he probly eats when ur gon. mine wont eat if im in the room

Answer 3

they are very shy. its probalby if you wait a while or leave he will eat. i have the same problem. or, maybe you are feeding him too much and hes not hungry.

Answer 4

How about trying some live food like tubiflex worms if available from local pet store.  I think also you would do better if you purchased algae pellets or any vegetation type pellets.