Redtail Catfish Advice
- Thread starter KMKgirl1605
- Start date
I'd keep trying. Fish, debatably, do not feel much pain: http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39071
As long as it is not inflamed and there are no signs of hemorrhagic septicemia (red streaking, reddened skin areas, etc.), there is a chance.
You did not say anything whose mouth and stomach he could have been in. So I assume it was the larger RTC. Hence, his initial biting and interest were a predatory aggression/sign, one would deduce. Guys above were right - the size difference was too large but I am sure this is not the only reason. As I said, tank size is another and many others.
As far as heating the pond we are still working out hard details, but we are doing about 5 ft underground, 2-3 above and putting it in a greenhouse to try to hold more heat in. We are going to do some type of in-line heater, possibly 2 depending on how many degrees they can raise the temp. We are looking into finding a way to insulate it as well.
As far as the fish goes I woke up this morning and his tail fell off. I'll post pics if you would like, but its pretty hard to look at. He is still just hanging out, no real signs of distress or labored breathing. I don't see any reddening so I don't think its infected (yet at least). He doesn't swim very well (obviously) but he still shimmys around. If he lives through this would his tail grow back at all or is the trauma too severe? I really appreciate all of your advice, it really has helped me a lot
As far as the fish goes I woke up this morning and his tail fell off. I'll post pics if you would like, but its pretty hard to look at. He is still just hanging out, no real signs of distress or labored breathing. I don't see any reddening so I don't think its infected (yet at least). He doesn't swim very well (obviously) but he still shimmys around. If he lives through this would his tail grow back at all or is the trauma too severe? I really appreciate all of your advice, it really has helped me a lot
The entire partially digested portion fell off now? If so it's not growing back
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You might want to check out this thread for some ideas: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...bout-Constructing-a-Monster-Aquarium-Yourself
That guy was in Seattle and he was able to do it. You guys are lucky that electricity is so cheap up there...running something like that in the Bay Area (even though it's warmer down here) would cost a fortune.
Thank you SO much for that post! that is awesome!! I am totally going to take some tips from the way he did it, I was also pretty terrified of what the electricity bill would be when it was all said and done so now I'm not quite as scared haha
Ted's web site is anythingfish.com - you will find lots of good info there and more updated and lessons learned etc. written in a more concise way. But I appreciate Alex's link as I have not known Ted had written about some of it here.
As for the fish, it is typical that everything that was in the stomach of a predator will die off. I was hoping he was not in the stomach too long but he was. I'd say euthanize him now, even though a small part of me hopes someone comes through and says do this and that and he may live... but this is, I am afraid, an empty wishful thinking. Either use clove oil, or put him in the freezer, or club him/hit him hard on the ground so that the death is instant. The last method is a bit shocking but practiced by some pros and high-level fish heads, e.g., Apistomaster on PCF, who believe it to be humane too.
As for the fish, it is typical that everything that was in the stomach of a predator will die off. I was hoping he was not in the stomach too long but he was. I'd say euthanize him now, even though a small part of me hopes someone comes through and says do this and that and he may live... but this is, I am afraid, an empty wishful thinking. Either use clove oil, or put him in the freezer, or club him/hit him hard on the ground so that the death is instant. The last method is a bit shocking but practiced by some pros and high-level fish heads, e.g., Apistomaster on PCF, who believe it to be humane too.
OK, I was kind of doing the same wishful thinking thing, but even if he lived his quality of life would be miserable considering he can't swim well...I still feel horrible about the whole situation but if anything good came of it I don't think I'll get anymore fish that would go in the pond with big rtc...I have definitely learned my lesson, I just hate that the Lil guy is the one who had to pay the price. I can't thank you all enough for your help, I will do what's best for him. =( thanks again
i was hoping he would recover, im at the point of deciding whether or not to keep more then 1 RTC together myself at the moment....sorry for the loss.. i had my 20" rtc swallow a 14" tsn i rescued all the way to his gills when i first introduced them. I was able to save the tsn who is fine now and later introduce them by putttng a net divider in pond till they got used to each other.. it's been my experience so far that unless they are within an inch or two of same size there's gonna be problems at first.
