Red Tail Sharks wont eat

dubels

I have two red tail sharks in my 30 gallon tank. I can't seem to get them to eat they just hide together in my pvc tunnel or under an arch decoration. They are really active when they are not hiding but I can't seem to get them to eat anything. I have live brine shrimp on the way but I am a little worried since I even tried garlic. Garlic seemed to get all the other fish active but the sharks stay hidden. I really hope they are not sick because the Dwarf Puffer I just got for my other thank needs to use the quarantine tank due to fin rot.

Cody

Try sinking algea wafers. RTBS are herbivores, and will usually eat algea.

But, you will need to get one of the RTBS out sooner or later. As they mature, they get very territorial among their own kind. Only 1 per tank, unless it is a very large tank.

dubels

yeah I figured as much but I inherited the second one. I tried sink algae but they don't seem to notice it even when I rub a little garlic on it before hand. I think I am going to give one of the red tail sharks away but right now they seem to buddy up.

Edit: tested water:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10

okiemavis

Have you tried live foods? Most fish like something that gives chase.

Also, I believe they are nocturnal, although I've never kept them. Is it possible that they are just too afraid to come out in the light? Try feeding them just after lights out to see if they'll go for it.

dubels

All is well maybe they were just trying to stake out each others territories? They both are now protecting opposite sides of the tank and occasionally roaming into each others territories looking for algae to eat. To keep them both happy until I can get another tank going to separate them I drop algae wafers into their "homes" to prevent them from searching into the others territory.