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I bought a glass knife fish 3 days ago and I havent been able to get him to eat. They were feeding it frozen brine shrimp at the lfs. I have tried using frozen brine shrimp, frozen blood worms, earth worms, and flakes and have tried feeding both at night and during the day and I still can't get him to eat. He seems to be looking for food when I turn the lights out but won't go for anything I offer him. Any suggestions on how to get a reluctant knifefish to eat?

Is this fish Eigenmannia virescens by any chance?

Our own profile indicates that this is a predatory species that should be given live fishes at least intermittently. Weaning it onto dead foods may take time and patience.

Additionally, lone individuals may not do well. This is a species that likes companions of its own species apparently.

Oops, almost forgot. This is a fish that uses electric fields for navigation. Is the aquarium close to something that produces a powerful electric field, such as a computer monitor or Hi-Fi loudspeakers? If so, move the electrical equipment away from the aquarium, as this is likely to stress the fish and dissuade it from eating. Some additional electrical shielding of certain types of aquarium equipment might also be in order.

Finally, our profile needs an update. Size quoted there is 17 cm. Fishbase lists it as a 35 cm fish. Here's the Fishbase page for Eigenmannia virescens.



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Thanks for the help. Also, when knifefish feed does it look like they are sucking their food up like a vacuum? Because that is what it looks like my knife is doing.