Red tail shark not eating

**james20** · 12-06-2012, 05:55 PM

I bought a Red Tail shark a few days ago and it's in a tank with 5 other tiger barbs. Whenever I try to feed it (sinking discs or vegetables) it doesn't eat it, and the barbs end up eating it. The shark is pretty active and healthy, but it just doesn't eat. It hangs out in a little cave decoration a lot and I usually put it's food in there, but it just swims by it and ignores it. Even when the barbs come to eat it's food the shark tries to chase them away, even though it shows little to no interest in the food. What can I do to make it eat so it doesn't starve?

**Goes to 11!** · 12-06-2012, 06:02 PM

Is this in your 20g tank?

**LittleRainbow** · 12-06-2012, 06:51 PM

Have you tried bloodworms or brine shrimp? My red tail LOVES meat products but will also eat flakes. It may just be he is still adjusting.

**james20** · 12-06-2012, 09:00 PM

It probably is still adjusting. But a few hours ago I put a leaf of lettuce under it's little cave and it's barely even touched it.

And the fish are in a 29g.

**mizzoutank** · 12-06-2012, 09:29 PM

the RTS will never adjust in a 29 because it is way to small of a tank for it to have room to swim around like it needs.

so he is probably not eating because he's unhappy and cramped in the tank.

**Goes to 11!** · 12-06-2012, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by mizzoutank

the RTS will never adjust in a 29 because it is way to small of a tank for it to have room to swim around like it needs.

so he is probably not eating because he's unhappy and cramped in the tank.

Totally agree, He needs a 4' tank.

**james20** · 12-07-2012, 12:55 AM

Thanks. I'll probably return the shark.

**steeler1** · 12-07-2012, 12:57 AM

Do you have any type of alage growing in the tank? He may be grazing on it and getting enough food that way.

Down the road if he starts eating you realy should rehome it in a bigger tank.

**steeler1** · 12-07-2012, 12:59 AM

Disregard my post than, to slow LOL.

**james20** · 12-07-2012, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by steeler1

Do you have any type of alage growing in the tank? He may be grazing on it and getting enough food that way.

Down the road if he starts eating you realy should rehome it in a bigger tank.

Actually, I noticed that it has been grazing the algae in the tank, just not eating the food I give it...