Red-Tiger Hybrid Survives Surgery, Photos

The 29" Redtail - Tiger Shovelnose is back home and doing well after tumor removal surgery.

The following 20 photos were taken during the 45 minute catfish tumor removal procedure. The fish was put to sleep with clove oil. During the operation water was pumped continuously over its gills; they opened and closed about every 8-10 seconds in a reflex action.


A: At home in 2400 gallon outdoor heated aquarium

B: In transport tub at clinic

C: Equalizing temperature before moving to aquarium

D: Setting up the ventilating pump to keep water running over the gills.

E: Making ready the clove oil to anaesthetize the fish

F: After a few minutes the fish is turned on its back and has stopped struggling.

G: A Close inspection of the tumor; it is not attached to the torso, only the fin.

H: The fish is lifted out of the holding tank and prepared for surgery.

I: The fish ventilator pumps oxygenated water over the fish’s gills.

J: The tumor is cut away from the pectoral fin; it is about 50% fatty tissue.

K: There is an artery feeding into the tumor which must be severed.

L: The tumor has been cut away cleanly; will it grow back? Time will tell.

M: Find the exact position of that artery; a suture must be taken to close it.

N: Keep the water flowing over the gills while the suture needle is prepared.

O: Tying the not in the suture; the bleeding is almost stopped.

P: A hand compress stops the bleeding completely.

Q: One minute later the fish is cleaned up put in recovery tub.

R: When returned to fresh water, the fish regains stability in a few minutes.

S: Ready for transport back home in heated aerated water.

T: We say goodbye to the Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital.

The catfish tumor surgery was performed Monday March 20, 2006, today is Saturday March 25, 2006. My 29" Redtail -Tiger Shovelnose hybrid catfish is eating as never before. The area where the tumor was removes is very clean, white (flesh color) with no sign of bleeding, irritation or infection.

I added evaporated sea salt purchased from Home Depot, the pure kind with no additives or anti-caking chemicals. The salt in solution is .25% or about 2-1/2 pounds per 100 gallons. The salt was added to improve the fishes slime coat production and speed up healing of the wound.

I am very optimistic that the fish will recover fully and continue growing. The question is how large do these hybrids get? The Redtail and Tiger Shovelnose catfish both reportedly can attain 5 feet in length.

The veterinarian cautioned me that the tumor might grow back. If this happens then the next procedure would remove the entire pectoral fin. Any idea how this might affect the fish's swimming behavior?

I'll update this information periodically.

The photo below shows some of my monster catfish feeding on hot dogs.