I added an Irwini catfish over a year ago, he was fairly small maybe a little under 5 inches. First week I had him he was lodged in some rocks, I thought he was stuck so I moved the rocks. Some say this species hates to be disturbed and will stop eating over it so I should not have done that I guess. He then lodges himself with some wood against the glass, clearly not stuck though. He never moved from that spot again. I added snails of various sizes because I read that was their natural food but he never touched any of them. I dropped food at the entrance of his lair but he never touched any of it. Months go by, I try feeding at night with no luck. Never saw him move even when the tank was totally dark, never turned on the lights to find him anywhere but his spot.
After more than a year he finally moves to eat and now acts "normal". I suppose something that never moves needs very little energy, but I am still surprised that this fish is now doing well. He has been eating for several months now, only active at feeding time of course. I just wanted to share this in case anyone picks one of these up and freaks out over it like I did. I had read others say it took a month or two but I got worried after that but there was no need for that.
It did not grow at all that I can notice during it's year long fast, but is growing now.
After more than a year he finally moves to eat and now acts "normal". I suppose something that never moves needs very little energy, but I am still surprised that this fish is now doing well. He has been eating for several months now, only active at feeding time of course. I just wanted to share this in case anyone picks one of these up and freaks out over it like I did. I had read others say it took a month or two but I got worried after that but there was no need for that.
It did not grow at all that I can notice during it's year long fast, but is growing now.
