Fat and lazy or sick?

[DiscusnAfricans]

I have a 30 gallon growout tank with a randown assortment of young fish. 5 black calvus 2-2.5", 10 A. kandeense 2.5", and 6 L. Ocellatus ~2". Apparently the calvus have an appetite.

I knew calvus were predators, but thought they were more likely to prey on fry/small fish. Long story short, the largest calvus decided the smallest ocellatus was meal sized. There is only about a half-inch difference between the overall length of each fish. Monday I came home and the calvus was resting on the substrate, fish fully engulfed, trying to work it down. I decided to let it be since the fish being eaten was fully contained.

On tuesday evening, the fish was still resting on the bottom, jaw extended, exhibiting rapid and shallow breathing. I tried to fish it out to check its jaw, but it immediately swam away. Instead of tearing the tank apart and stressing the fish out, I decided to leave him and monitor his progress.

On wednesday evening, his jaw appeared normal, but was still listless and not breathing properly. He would still swim around when spooked, but sink to the bottom at first chance. Since this was a physical problem, I don't see the need to treat for anything, but I don't like leaving him be if there is a problem.

Suggestions on what could be done, or does he just need some time to recover?

 

[dustin]

IMO I'd let him alone for couple days. You'd feel the same way if you ate something around the same size as you. Wouldn't you? I think he'll b fine.

 

[F8LBITE]

hopefully he'll make it man.

 

[longstocking]

Nothing you can really do... leave him be. Hopefully he pulls through. This doesn't happen that often. Rarely infact. I have a 6 inch male calvus that decided to eat half of a 2.5 inch fish though. Never seen that one! Mine is wild and mean though.... it looked like a front had eaten the fish lol... not a calvus!

They are made to eat tiny fish just like you stated.

 

[Tony]

Have you tried sticking your finger down his throat?


Nah, jk. Hopefully, he'll pull through. This isn't your first hungry-hungry-alto, isn't it? Do tell.

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Nothing you can really do... leave him be. Hopefully he pulls through. This doesn't happen that often. Rarely infact.

Nah, jk. Hopefully, he'll pull through. This isn't your first hungry-hungry-alto, isn't it? Do tell.

Yeah, apparently this guy likes to go "against the flow." About a year ago (when he was about half inch smaller) he had a similar episode with a julidochromis transcriptus a little smaller than him. Apparently he didn't learn (or me for that matter:lol.

Last time he settled down and was back to normal in about a day. After 48 hours I was a little concerned though. I guess he will have to be kept with larger fish in the future. I will keep an eye on him and update accordingly later.

I can't imagine what this guy feels like. I feel like I can't do anything but lay down after eating a Chipotle burrito, and thats only about the size of my foot, not my entire body.

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Well, this guy literally "bit off more than he could chew." I came home thursday evening and his body had already been picked over.

Lesson learned: in the future, I will only keep calvus by themselves or with fish larger than themselves. Fish designed to eat small fry don't fare well when they try to eat normal sized fish.

 

[minifoot77]

that sucks man....

 

[Leffler817]

Sorry bro, that sucks

 

[Avatar]

Alas...

...subjectively speaking, always easy to spot an attractive individual - picking out the smart ones is more challenging (especially with carnivores).
In my experience this is not restricted to just fish.

Best wishes on your next go-around.

 

[fischfan13]

Ya know this is the first time I actually looked at this thread.
To be honest, I thought that Mike was talking about me.:wacko: