Help B. Fila won't eat

[GiantFishKeeper101]

... or transfer a pathogen to your fila that will kill it faster.

Some experts like fugupuff differ on the topic of feeding goldfish, but I'd never do that.

First off, your fila looks thick and healthy and could easily fast for 1-2 months no problem. But it would not have taken that long for it to take fish or cut fish, or other frozen aquatic cuisine or even pellets.

They are not fussy but they take rehoming hard and take time after that to start feeding. They also stress a bit easier than most usual fish. I think in 1-2 weeks, it would have taken what you are offering.

Please, by all means, consider not feeding your fish live feeders.

After he reach certain length, I change his diet like most of my fish. Usually after reach 6-7", I give them some tetra-looking-bait fish (don't know the species). After reach 1', I give em farmed clarias spp. After reach 2', change to mackerel.

But since you said that gold fish brings diseases, I think I can give him some chopped fish perhaps or prawns.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

After he reach certain length, I change his diet like most of my fish. Usually after reach 6-7", I give them some tetra-looking-bait fish (don't know the species). After reach 1', I give em farmed clarias spp. After reach 2', change to mackerel.

But since you said that gold fish brings diseases, I think I can give him some chopped fish perhaps or prawns.

It's not that I am saying this. It is rather well known. Just one example: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...ish-as-food-nutritional-value-concerns.12521/

 

[Chicxulub]

Typically, the longer you wait to get a fish onto prepared foods, the harder it is to do, too.

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

Just lost 2 inch of his right barbel to a mystus singaringan last night. Biggest mistakes that I have ever made. Currently searching for another B. Fila.

Questions:-

What's the growth rate on this guy? Per month. Does the barbel damage effects him in any way? Does 5x2.5x2.5 tank sufficient for this guy?

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

What's the growth rate on this guy? Per month.
*****Up to 3" per month if very comfortable and well fed; can be 1"-2" if not so much.

Does the barbel damage effects him in any way?
*****It is rather normal for any catfish to get their barbels damaged or a portion broken off at some point. It requires energy and takes their resources to heal or grow back just like any superficial injury but it seems they are well designed with this in mind.

Does 5x2.5x2.5 tank sufficient for this guy?
******IMHO it'll be ok until it exceeds a foot. Also depends on the length of their remaining barbels. Undamaged barbels on a fila span 10x-12x body length (both barbels spread out full length). Mine two are in an 8x2x2 and their barbels are not nearly the full length, trimmed at around foot each.

The longer the barbels, the sooner they will become skittish and start darting and injuring their snouts etc.