Sick Rafael Catfish

[skanter]

My Rafael catfish is at least 25 years old, but got sick, stopped eating, then developed this nasty fungus. I though he was just old and dying, but he has been hanging on for weeks.

Is there any hope, or should i euthanize him? He hasn’t eaten for a month, as far as i know, unless at night. 92-gallon corner tank.

 

[Aiken Drum]

So sorry about your fish.

Have you tried anything to help it out?

Everybody will have different thresholds before they euthanise. Hes not eating anything as far as you can tell. Is he swimming ok? Appearing to be suffering?

 

[skanter]

So sorry about your fish.

Have you tried anything to help it out?

Everybody will have different thresholds before they euthanise. Hes not eating anything as far as you can tell. Is he swimming ok? Appearing to be suffering?

He doesn’t really ever swim, just hangs out in a cave or somewhere. He usually eats at night. I don’t think he’s suffering, and i think removing him from the tank would be traumatic for him, so I think i will let him go peacefully.

 

[Autumnsky]

Hello. Sorry to hear your long term fish companion isn't doing well.

Some info about medication below.

What are your water parameters?

Making sure the water quality is in a safe condition would be a good idea. Vac'ing the gravel to get rid of excess muck can be a project maybe 1/3 or 1/4 at a time until it is cleaned across the tank.

Doing this in smaller amounts allows the water difference (new from old water) changes to be gentler to the fish by doing a portion at a time. If it has been awhile since large water changes have been done, it is likely the difference between new water and older tank water is very different. If you had routine 25% every week or more pwc's then you can do them a bit more quickly. either way you can do a few back to back water changes keeping the tank temperature the same as the pwc water.

Doing this can get the water freshened up. In addition to removing stuff that causes poor water quality.

Rinsing the filter media with dechlorinated water to get it operating at peak filtration.

If you decide to use medication having the water in the tank in perfect condition is preferred. Fish have a better chance of recovery if they aren't stressed from unsafe water conditions.

https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f17/using-epsom-salt-in-fish-therapy-374191.html#post3548383

https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/aquarium-salt-for-sick-fish

https://www.apifishcare.com/product/fungus-cure

 

[skanter]

Hello. Sorry to hear your long term fish companion isn't doing well.

Some info about medication below.

Thanks. I’ll take a look, but…

>>What are your water parameters?
.

https://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f17/using-epsom-salt-in-fish-therapy-374191.html#post3548383

https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/aquarium-salt-for-sick-fish

https://www.apifishcare.com/product/fungus-cure

I rarely need to test parameters (besides PH) as i rarely have sick fish. I’ve been an aquarist for over 40 years. I change water every few weeks with a Python, which vacuums waste and cleans gravel while exchanging water. I do not medicate the tank as it’s large (92G bow front) and would need a huge amount of medication. It also could affect the other fish in a negative way. If there is a fish having issues i will exchange the water 40% every few days, which I’ve done.

I did have a large Red Severum with gas bladder issues - (he was vertical) - so I fed him some peas without skin and it cured him.

As I said, sometimes best to just let fish go; It’s like doing major surgery on a 95-year-old human. The fish has no DNR, but maybe it should…

 

[Autumnsky]

Sure, understand this.