Is my gulper catfish ok?

[coolcomfort]

Does this seem like normal breathing?

Very hard to tell. At night when the lights off, he was swimming fine, but then he started swimming in circles like this for nearly 2 hours:

Do you guys think everythings fine? Hard to tell

 

[coolcomfort]

I might be exaggerating. Not really sure. First time ever receiving a fish from the mail. Water parameters are good, nitrites are 0, nitrates very close to 0.

Just to be even more safe, I performed a 25% water change last night as soon as I saw him acting like this.

 

[Go_redfish]

Gulpers are not my area of expertise but I have had a rescued pond commet act similar to that with a parasite infestation.

 

[kno4te]

The swimming seems it’s not settled down. Not from trauma or bad acclimation. These are always wild caught fish and prefer soft and acidic water. Would remove the other fish as they will become meals at some point. Would try to adding some tannins in the tank and see if it settles down.

 

[coolcomfort]

The swimming seems it’s not settled down. Not from trauma or bad acclimation. These are always wild caught fish and prefer soft and acidic water. Would remove the other fish as they will become meals at some point. Would try to adding some tannins in the tank and see if it settles down.

Good call, I just added some driftwood to increase tannins. He seems to be exerting normal behavior now but i'm not entirely sure. I'm now worried he may have a type of cotton mouth thing going on.

https://i.imgur.com/V6aEfN3.png

As you can see, near his nose he has this white thing. If I had to guess it's from him bumping into the glass but i'm not sure if it's something I should be immediately concerned about.

This is day 2 of having him, so hopefully he stays alive and i'm just over exaggerating.

 

[kno4te]

The bump is likely from rubbing on glass. Once it settles down it should go away.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

Agree with kno4te. The swimming can be normal or can be a sign of a bit of stress. I've seen mine do that circle thing.

The breathing is hard in the first video but we don't know what the fish was doing just prior. If this is how it always breathes, I'd say it is not normal but the reasons may be many - insufficient DO, going from low temp to high temp, parasites on gills, abrupt change in water hardness or pH, unstable pH, etc.

I find it strange you quote nitrite and nitrate (which BTW should not be zero) but not ammonia.

If the gulper survives, it will eat everything in that tank.

 

[coolcomfort]

Agree with kno4te. The swimming can be normal or can be a sign of a bit of stress. I've seen mine do that circle thing.

The breathing is hard in the first video but we don't know what the fish was doing just prior. If this is how it always breathes, I'd say it is not normal but the reasons may be many - insufficient DO, going from low temp to high temp, parasites on gills, abrupt change in water hardness or pH, unstable pH, etc.

I find it strange you quote nitrite and nitrate (which BTW should not be zero) but not ammonia.

If the gulper survives, it will eat everything in that tank.

What is DO? My API water test kit shows me Nitrites and Nitrates. Nitrates aren't 0, but close to it, which is ideal.

Last night he was doing the same spinning around again. All night. Very weird, but I noticed he ate a fish today. I think he is doing better. I'm assuming the travel from Colorado took a little bit of a toll on him. I still want to wait a couple days before I get my hopes up.

I'd like to add, the fish in this tank are food for the gulper and my red tail. They are minnows, so I don't have a strong connection to them. I am worried he may overeat, so I may take some out. Not sure how big of a concern that is.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

What is DO?
***Dissolved oxygen.

My API water test kit shows me Nitrites and Nitrates.
***If they are sticks, they are notoriously crude, only a yes or no type test. I'd recommend getting a liquid test tube test, like API freshwater master kit for $20.

Nitrates aren't 0, but close to it, which is ideal.
***Agreed... but see above.

Last night he was doing the same spinning around again. All night. Very weird,
***Not weird IMHE.

but I noticed he ate a fish today. I think he is doing better.
***Absolutely! Great sign.

I'm assuming the travel from Colorado took a little bit of a toll on him. I still want to wait a couple days before I get my hopes up.
***Agreed.

I'd like to add, the fish in this tank are food for the gulper and my red tail. They are minnows, so I don't have a strong connection to them.
***No problem then.

I am worried he may overeat, so I may take some out. Not sure how big of a concern that is.
***Not a concern at all on my end.