Gulper Catfish Slime Coat Coming Off

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skypilotthecat

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2019
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I have recently acquired a gulper catfish, it is still acclimating to the new environment but the slime coat is coming off on the fins and in front of the head.

Is this normal, should I do more water changes or just leave it as is for now?

Thank you
 
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WHat are your water parameters? Does your water contain tannins (essential for gulpers, and quite a few other fish).
 
Excessive slime is a classic sign of stress. It could occur for great many reasons but the most obvious one at the moment is the newness of the fish to its tank and water, perhaps temp, pH, and hardness, etc. Also, the stress of shipment / transfer has its consequences.

Are your water parameters measured by a liquid test tube kit?

My water has only tiny traces of tannin. I am not sure tannins are essential. This is in fact the first time I hear of it but perhaps Jason will elaborate.

I can't claim to be a benchmark in gulper keeping either, having lost two out of three to supposedly some disease. I've had my last one for only 3.5 years.
 
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thebiggerthebetter said:
Excessive slime is a classic sign of stress. It could occur for great many reasons but the most obvious one at the moment is the newness of the fish to its tank and water, perhaps temp, pH, and hardness, etc. Also, the stress of shipment / transfer has its consequences.

Are your water parameters measured by a liquid test tube kit?

My water has only tiny traces of tannin. I am not sure tannins are essential. This is in fact the first time I hear of it but perhaps Jason will elaborate.

I can't claim to be a benchmark in gulper keeping either, having lost two out of three to supposedly some disease. I've had my last one for only 3.5 years.
Click to expand...

I’ll add in some Indian almond leaves later, should I do water changes at the moment?

Also, I only have test strips at the moment for water parameters
 
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I am vague on the leaves. Aren't they used for medicating too? I just know little of what they do other than give tannin.

No, stips will not do. Too crude. Yes/no tests. Everyone on this forum will advise you to buy a liquid API test kit.

You may have ammonia or nitrite in the water but the strips may not show it.
 
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thebiggerthebetter said:
I am vague on the leaves. Aren't they used for medicating too? I just know little of what they do other than give tannin.

No, stips will not do. Too crude. Yes/no tests. Everyone on this forum will advise you to buy a liquid API test kit.

You may have ammonia or nitrite in the water but the strips may not show it.
Click to expand...

The leaves lowered the ph and adds tannins which contain antimicrobial agents that protect the fish from infections.
 
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skypilotthecat said:
The leaves lowered the ph and adds tannins which contain antimicrobial agents that protect the fish from infections.
Click to expand...
The danger here that I see is staying away from large and quick pH swings. Any time we try to artificially maintain a pH, it is wrought with things that can and do go wrong sooner or later.

pH is in general overrated. It bears a 10x smaller effect than people generally give it, but when it is stable.

It sounds like you have the experience with the almond leaves though.
 
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