How to get pangasius catfish to eat?

HI PPl     we bought a two foot tank a few days ago .the guy who had it said on the phone he had a few fish in it we could have. well pure shock hit us when we seen this tank.
it had a 6" ghost koi, TWO 9" pangasius catfish, and two black widows, all in the most disgusting water you will ever see, you could barely see the fish unless they came to the front of the tank.
Anyway we bought the tank and fish as a rescue mission we couldnt leave them in there although one pangasius died on the journey home. but we have a problem with the other one, we just can't get it to eat anything at all ( ive tried putting food in its mouth but doesn't seem to know its there although he can smell it (I know there almost blind) the only thing I can think of is he will slowly get used too the feeding times we have and adjust to it,
Any suggestion would help! obviosly we can't keep the catfish its just a short term home, Apparently the guy told us he is 5 years old and so is the ghost koi what is the chances they will grow now after being in a two feet tank for five years.
                                                                             thanks sasha


HI was just wondering if anyone had any more ideas on how to get beauty (my catfish) to eat as that has been ages now he hasn't eaten and now we are getting really worried. THANKS

 

Here's some information for you
Try some blood worms. I was wondering- you said you put the food in its mouth- that tells me some thing is wrong. Maybe the change from such dirty water to clean water was a shock.
Carol

 

HI Carol ,
The catfish goes back and forth the width of the tank allday and night like a mental case (we think it must be a habit formed from the small tank he was in ) I didn't actually put the food (an algae wafer )right in his mouth I touched his mouth as he passed but he didn't try and eat it at all, although his senses are still there as he goes nuts at feeding time
he is in a four feet tank until we can find him a proper home ,
p.s the ghost koi thinks all his Xmases has come at once he has actually got room to swim it was shame to see him in the the previous tank ,his fins are actually deformed due to lack of space,  but now I'm sure I can see him smiling.  he was a bit boystress for the first two days as he was wanting every fish in the tank to play with him but he is far bigger so he scared them but he is fine now he swims back an forth with the others(smiling)

now have to build a pond sooner than I thought lol

 

Yes they definitely pay us back for providing the things they need And yes you can almost see them smiling
I would still try some thawed frozen bloodworms for cat. Maybe after lights out to keep the koi from eating them.
Carol

 

Sorry I see this was posted in September but Ive also got a pangasius, He also swims up and down the glass, I think its just something they do. He also didnt want to eat when I got him but it took about two weeks for him to settle in, after buying sinking cat fish food he eats that now and he loves blood worms. when the oscars eat he steals the bits of bloodworms that come out of their gills,he follows them cos he can smell the bloodworms.