E. Cat help - drastically decreased appetite, losing weight

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johnnytaboo

johnnytaboo

Fire Eel
MFK Member
May 4, 2005
1,123
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68
MD, DC, VA
Well,

My favorite fat catfish is no longer very fat. I noticed a drastic drop in his appetite about two weeks ago. He would only eat one chunk of shrimp every other night, as opposed to his usual 3 large chunks nightly plus whatever else I was willing to feed him. I thought it might be because the 40 br was finally feeling way too small (I know it was too small anyway), so I got my 90 gallon back from my brother in law. Put him in a few days ago, but he's still not eating. He's definitely lost quite a bit of weight. I'm doing small water changes nightly after I try to feed him, but I'm getting worried. Food has never been an issue with this guy. Any ideas?

Thanks for any help,
John
 
Well, it appears too complex now. If the problem started in the 40 gal, he is out of there. Now he may be simply adjusting to the new tank or still carrying problems from the 40. We could start with the basics: what were your water parameters in the 40 and what are they now in the 90 gal? NH3, NO2, NO3 in ppm, temp, pH.
 
Parameters, absolutely!

PH: 6.5
No2: 0ppm
No3: 20ppm
Temp: 83 degrees
Current filtration: AC110 with seeded media & a bio wheel 200 with the same.
Tank mates: 5 rosy reds who somehow survived me forgetting they existed in a quarantine tank for 2 weeks.

Picture of the new set-up below:

Ideas? I'm basically out of hiding places for a guy his size. That log works, but just barely. Any ideas on what I might be able to do to make him a happy catfish again?





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NH3?

NO3 tells me you are not keeping up with water changes. I'd try to reduce it to 10 ppm and under.

It's been less than a week, so he may be adjusting.

What do you feed him? He could have contracted a parasite or a bacterial decease if you give him live.

If shrimp is all you give him or is the majority of his diet, he might have developed vitamin B1 deficiency as shrimp carries too much thiaminase, the enzyme that destroys thiamine = vitamin B1. Raw shrimp has the most of it. Cooked carries none or little. This problem is present with all/most crustaceans.

What's the fish's size? If he is over a foot, the need for a hiding place is lessened. Surely you can come up with a hidey-hole if needed - PVC pipes, half of a clay pot, etc.
 
Like I said, water changes are nightly and small (5-10 gallons at the moment). I didn't want to stress him out with a big water change, plus I don't have any Prime and the dechlorinator I am using would leave a bunch of ammonia in the water after a large change like that.

He hasn't eaten live since he was under 6" long, but you are correct that the majority of his diet has been raw shrimp, although each piece is stuffed with 1-2 floating carnivore sticks (I find they are the easiest to stuff into my shrimp and tilapia pieces). If he does have a B1 deficiency, what (aside from a change in diet starting now) can be done to help alleviate his condition?

Do you think that removing the hollow log in favor of other decorations would be wise? Instead of the one log he's spent so much time it, a bunch of larger rocks, and perhaps some tall plants? I may also look into the PVC, though it's not my ideal aesthetic for my aquariums.

Greatly appreciate the guidance btw. Thank you

- John

* He did eat one decent sized piece of Tilapia last night, but he wasn't his usual enthusiastic self when it comes to food *
 
I personally don't think the nitrate is a problem, but it won't help. (my water is 10PPM out of the tap) If you are feeding it stuffed shrimp I think his diet is OK, but I would like to see more prepared food once he is back on his food. You might try an appetite stimulant like garlic to soak the food in. You really need to get a water treatment that will neutralize the ammonia. That is just another stress factor in his life. I would worry less about the aesthetics and more about the recovery for now and get him some good hidy holes so he feels comfortable. I know I don't get well quicker because of the way my wife likes the house decorated. What does his poop look like? If it is white that would indicate parasite treatment is in order.
 
JT: Like I said, water changes are nightly and small (5-10 gallons at the moment). I didn't want to stress him out with a big water change, plus I don't have any Prime and the dechlorinator I am using would leave a bunch of ammonia in the water after a large change like that.
TBTB: Do you mean ammonia will be left after your dechlorinator reacts with chloramine?

JT: He hasn't eaten live since he was under 6" long,
TBTB: Like Rodger said, what's his poop like? If it's white, or clear, or gooey etc., it may indicate an internal parasite.

JT: but you are correct that the majority of his diet has been raw shrimp, although each piece is stuffed with 1-2 floating carnivore sticks (I find they are the easiest to stuff into my shrimp and tilapia pieces).
TBTB: That by far lessens the B1 deficiency theory.

JT: If he does have a B1 deficiency, what (aside from a change in diet starting now) can be done to help alleviate his condition?
TBTB: My e-cat inhaled any and all foods, dry or frozen. Very unfussy. So variety is easy to achieve and important. Pre-soaking foods in Vita-Chem is recommended by many as a well-working way to ensure good vitamin and mineral supply.

JT: He did eat one decent sized piece of Tilapia last night, but he wasn't his usual enthusiastic self when it comes to food.
TBTB: So the situation is not grave but definitely worrisome.
 
TBTB and Roger, thanks.

Firstly, I was referring f the the ammonia that would result from the dechlorinator reacting with the chlorine. So I am still doing consistent, small, nightly water changes.

Secondly, I haven't seen any poop recently. I will check closer tonight, but I was pretty thorough last night and I could not spot any.

I will continue with the stuffed shrimp diet then, but I will be supplementing in other foods more often I got him to takes piece of stuffed tilapia last night again. As well as a piece of shrimp.

I think he's starting to come back around slowly. Hopefully he will be completely adjusted to his new tank by next week and I'll finally have my fat catfish back.


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From the pic, looks like the hollow log is mighty roomy for the cat. Why have we been talking about a new hide?

johnnytaboo said:
Firstly, I was referring f the the ammonia that would result from the dechlorinator reacting with the chlorine.
Click to expand...

If you will, please, describe the dechlorinator or point to the description on-line. I am not familiar with that one, it appears.
 
TBTB I will find the link to the thread I read here about Prime water conditioner vs. everything else. That is where I read about the ammonia that results from the way other water conditioners dechlorinate.

On a positive note, fat catfish finally started acting fat again, gobbling down multiple chunks of tilapia last night. Not sure if this was a fluke, but I'll know around feeding time tonight.


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