Feeding Raphael Cat

[BlueLineAquaticsSC]

I recently picked up a 7” Striped Raphael Catfish and he is living in my 90g with a bichir and assortment of New World Cichlids. I’m worried about him getting food, the cichlids are quick eaters and not much gets down to the bottom, and he doesn’t seam to care about moving for what does. I had the same issue with my bichir at first but he is far more active and quickly learned to just swim to the top at feeding time. Any suggestions on how to get a lazy cat eating?

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 8/4/2022 at 10:44 PM, BlueLineAquaticsSC said:

I recently picked up a 7” Striped Raphael Catfish and he is living in my 90g with a bichir and assortment of New World Cichlids. I’m worried about him getting food, the cichlids are quick eaters and not much gets down to the bottom, and he doesn’t seam to care about moving for what does. I had the same issue with my bichir at first but he is far more active and quickly learned to just swim to the top at feeding time. Any suggestions on how to get a lazy cat eating?

Does he seem to like a particular cave or something?  You can mix food with tank water, suck it up with a turkey baster, and send it down to him that way.  Or use aquascaping tongs to put food in front of him.

Edited August 5, 2022 by Chick-In-Of-TheSea

[Kurt Brutting]

I like feeding repashy bottom scratcher at night for my hesitant fish.  

[Biotope Biologist]

Raphael cats are nocturnal. Feed their food at night near their cave of choice as mentioned above. 
 

They are fairly greedy eaters and shouldn’t have any issues. After awhile you can train them to your feeding regimen and they in some cases have been known to take food from their owners hand.