ARTC kinda slow, not eating

[HardCharger81]

After what I would call a happy accident brought me an Asian Red tail catfish, she seemed to be happy and heathy for the better part of a year.

She'd eat almost anything you'd put in the tank. I've been feeding her nightcrawlers, pellets, and once a month I'll put a few feeders in there for her to chase around.

After buying worms from a different store, she just hasn't seemed the same.
She's just kinda slow and drifting around the bottom of the tank. I know these fish are nocturnal, but she's always seemed somewhat active all times of the day.

I've done a water change, and put a vitamin supplement in the water. I've even gone so far as change to a quieter pump unit, as I was told the noise can freak the fish out.

It's been a couple days, she seems to not be getting worse or better.
All my levels are good.

Is there anything else I shout look for or try?

Thanks in advance
Jake

 

[Lupin]

Which worms did you buy? Did you ask the store for possible contaminants?

 

[HardCharger81]

I had been buying the large night crawlers from petsmart.

I happened to be closer to petco and picked up their nightcrawlers, and after that, she hasn't been the same.

I've been doing small water changes, and she seems more active today. She's eaten a few sinking pellets.
I *fingers crossed* hope she's getting better. She still turns her nose up at the new nightcrawlers.

I'm sorry, I didn't read the "read first" sticky in my haste to get help for my sick fish, so I'll try and fill in some of the gaps.

My nitrates are good. My pH is alittle acid. 6.9 ish. The water is on the hard side.
Using my temp gun, the water is right at 70 degrees.
She's about 8" long from nose to tail tip, and just at a year old. She currently lives in a 10 gallon tank that has sand for a substrate.
I just bought a 36 for her, but I've been affraid to move her since she got sick.
I swaped out the old noisy power filter because I thought it might be stressing her.
About a month ago she had a few spots of Ich, and using the Ick medicine as directed, it went away in a couple days.

I hope that helps. She does seem to be moving around more, but I'd appreciate any and all advice.

 

[HardCharger81]

Oh, one more thing. She is alone, she DOES NOT play well with others.

 

[Lupin]

I forgot to ask about her poop. Is her poop normal, or white and stringy?

Looks like you cut short the ich treatment. How long did you treat the fish? You're supposed to continue 10 days after ich is gone to ensure it is completely eradicated. I'd just dose a teaspoon per gallon of salt and add the next set in 12 hours. Keep it there for two weeks at least and then elevate temperature to 82 degrees. Keep water well aerated. Don't forget to dissolve the salt first before you add!

Other than that, I'd just continue giving her small meals and then do daily water changes. How high are your ammonia and nitrite?

:welcome to MFK by the way.

 

[HardCharger81]

I used the blue copper ick medicine for 5 days. Currently my nitrates don't even register on the test strips. Can she still have ick with no outside symptoms? I don't have a heater, but I'll pick one up tomorrow.
As for her poop, I rarely see it. The last one I've seen looked normal, about a week ago.
I just use the test strips, so I'm not sure what my ammonia looks like.

With her room dark and using a muted flashlight, she seems to be patroling her tank. But I will try the salt and increase on temperature. Normally what should the tank be temperature wise?

 

[Lupin]

Keep it at 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Though the copper should have killed any more protozoans that are free swimming since it can linger in the tank for months, I'd just err on the side of caution and treat with salt. The treatment process is really short. There may be cysts that were able to survive and can release more parasites anytime. Give salt treatment a week and if nothing happens, you can pull out the treatment after that.

 

[HardCharger81]

Following your directions. She seems to be coming around. Currently I'm cycling my new 36 gallon, which I think is going to help alot. Her old home is just too small and the junk builds up too fast. At the rate I'm going we'll be ready for the move this weekend. But thanks for the remedies. I think she's almost back to 100%!