Channel Cats!

[hervoicewasgray]

Well, this afternoon I discovered Ms. Moxie (my 15" 'blue' channel cat that I've had for about a year now...I got her when she was the size of my pinky) was dead. She was alive and fine this morning, but this afternoon, I walk out and see her just listlessly on her side with a surprised look on her face. I dropped what I was carrying and started bawling, of course. I was clueless as to what happened, but when I noticed a few of the other fish appearing stressed and did a water change, I noticed the water seemed awfully blue (as the worms are back and I've been treating with Maracide Concentrate until PraziPro comes in) in the bucket. Even though I sit and carefully count each drop, I guess there was still too much. I miscounted. I ODed and it killed her.
And I'm lost. She was my star. I'll get another Channel Cat when I'm ready, but otherwise...it sucks. I mean, her name was awesome (IMO) and that can't be recreated.

Since I'm getting a 120/140/150 (idfk- the guy gives me a new number each time) Rubbermaid self-supporting tank, I'm considering the possibility of an albino channel cat, to show up better. But they look so plain...and don't albino anythings usually have shorter lifespans and other health problems?

Any thoughts or experiences is helpful.

 

[justonemoretank]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. She was a beautiful fish.

 

[haynchinook334]

How big was the tank that the channel was in?

And did you check the gills for the white worms?

 

[hervoicewasgray]

She was in a 25 tall QT tank, just until I could get the 75 thoroughly cleaned out. I'm genuinely freaked out because once I was done treating, the gravel had been drying for a few weeks, and then I rinsed it thoroughly, all of the decor was washed, all new filter media, 150% water change. How these worms are still there, and why they like, exploded after a cleaning, I don't know, and that no one really knows anything about different worms is troubling.

I didn't check the gills, no. Between the devastation and just holding her and crying without stabbing myself on her barbs, and the whole awestruck feeling of not only being able to hold her, but seeing just how big and heavy she really was had me kind of distracted too. She's in my freezer, I guess I'll thaw her out and take a look.
I don't know what I'm going to do with her.

 

[SimonL]

You had a 15" catfish in a 25 gallon? Was it properly cycled befoehand? Even if it was, I doubt it would be able to handle a fish that size...and you have your other fish in there too?

 

[doubledragon]

Sorry about your loss, it's always hard to lose a favorite fish. Weve all been there.
On a side note your question about albino's. I don't think there is any health problems with albino channel cat's. I had mine since he was the size of my pinkie and now he is around 25 or so inches.

 

[tscharf]

albinos are awesome, mine had alot more personality than my blue channel. would throw pebbles against the side of the tank. and would eat from my hand. i shoulda never put him in the pond. herring ate him

 

[hervoicewasgray]

You had a 15" catfish in a 25 gallon? Was it properly cycled befoehand? Even if it was, I doubt it would be able to handle a fish that size...and you have your other fish in there too?

I'm actually rather insulted that you'd think I'd KEEP a fish even half her size in 25 gallon.
She was raised and lived in a 75, I moved everyone to the 25 until the 75 was clean of the hundreds of little worms NOT Planaria worms. Unfortunately, while ready to go back in the next day, she died the afternoon prior.

 

[hervoicewasgray]

albinos are awesome, mine had alot more personality than my blue channel. would throw pebbles against the side of the tank. and would eat from my hand. i shoulda never put him in the pond. herring ate him

I'm so sorry

 

[hervoicewasgray]

Sorry about your loss, it's always hard to lose a favorite fish. Weve all been there.
On a side note your question about albino's. I don't think there is any health problems with albino channel cat's. I had mine since he was the size of my pinkie and now he is around 25 or so inches.

Thank you.
Ah That's good to know.