help! i think my red-tailed catfish is dying

jrollo76 · New member Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Posts: 1

Today I came home from work to find my red-tailed catfish at the bottom of the tank upside down, kind of arched. He is still breathing and swam around a little bit, but it seems that as soon as he starts swimming normally his body uncontrollably flips upside down. His skin was black and is now gray with black spots and his tail does not have the red color anymore. Does anyone know what this means or anything I can do? The catfish is about 4 years old.

t_chelle16 · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 3437

What are your readings for ammonia, nitrIte, and nitrAte?
How big is the tank?
How big is the catfish?
What other fish are in the tank and how big are they?

I believe RTC's have a fairly fast growth rate and they get really big (5'+), so unless your tank is huge, I'm guessing you may be seeing premature death from stunting.

-Chelle

pet_lover2370 · New member Joined: 21 Oct 2006 Posts: 8

GET THE FISH OUT OF THE TANK AND INTO ANOTHER TANK IT IS A DISEASE THAT DISOLVES HIS FINS (i think) AND YOU NEED TO GET IT OUT NOW!

t_chelle16 · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 3437

Considering this thread is 2 months old, I'm willing to bet the fish is long dead by now.

-Chelle