Catfish is dying..........Help needed

[MRS!]

My husband has a Catfish in his 5 month old tank. We have had him for about 1 month.

Yesterday he seemed fine, eating well, swimming fine. Today though he keeps floating upside down at the top of the tank, then when he does swim he bumps into the glass, rocks and gravel :?

I've checked the Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and PH levels, all are fine.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong with him

 

[Allivymar]

Ugh. Hard to say exactly whats going on here.

Just to clarify, when you say parameters are fine you mean 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 40 or less nitrates? Its easier for us to be sure with the numbers.

It MAY be a swim bladder problem. Sounds like he is having a hard time righting himself. Thing is, swim bladder probs are usually indicative of something else, and I can't quite figure out what. So more questions:

Any changes in markings? Any fuzzy, lighter, speckly, or faded areas on the cat? How is his breathing? Are any other fish in the tank acting strangely? Is he still eating or making an attempt? Any bloating or does he look skinnier then usual? Whats he been fed recently? Any other info you can throw our way?

I'd suggest a water change ASAP just to be safe. Is always a good thing to do.

 

[MRS!]

Ugh. Hard to say exactly whats going on here.

Just to clarify, when you say parameters are fine you mean 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 40 or less nitrates? Its easier for us to be sure with the numbers.

No trace of anything in the water, we have a home testing kit, so it's hard to give exact levels

It MAY be a swim bladder problem. Sounds like he is having a hard time righting himself. Thing is, swim bladder probs are usually indicative of something else, and I can't quite figure out what. So more questions:

Any changes in markings? Any fuzzy, lighter, speckly, or faded areas on the cat? How is his breathing? Are any other fish in the tank acting strangely? Is he still eating or making an attempt? Any bloating or does he look skinnier then usual? Whats he been fed recently? Any other info you can throw our way?

I'd suggest a water change ASAP just to be safe. Is always a good thing to do.

Water change is being done as we speak, all othe other fish seem fine (see sig, Tank 1)
His breathing is irrattic, i did notice something slimey out of his underside gill, if this makes any sence :?

 

[MRS!]

I was too late He has died

Is there anything we could do to try and find out the cause of his death?

Thanks for your help Allivymar

 

[Allivymar]

Damn. I'm sorry MRS!; I had to go to work and just got home. I wish I could have done more

Do have hubby double check the water parameters just to be sure theres no minor ammonia spike.

 

[MRS!]

Hiya,

No ammonia spike, all the water test were clear.

It was so sad just watching him die, I did try my best to help him though I guess sometimes it just happens with no apparent reason :?

Thanks Allivymar

 

[William]

You make sure that any aerosols, or any sprays in general are, if used, kept far away from the tank right?

Thats about all I can think of..

 

[MRS!]

We don't use aerosols in the living room as we have bird aswell as our 3 tanks!!