Redtail Catfish Help!

[peeves]

Our two year old catfish recently started swimming around (3 weeks) and scratching its skin severely against the rocks and pebbles. The skin is starting to peel off and bleed. Plus it's also slowly starting to lose its appetite. I've been changing the water everyday. Not sure what else to do?

 

[catfish dan]

Right the problem is one of 2 thing water quality or a parasite. What are your water test resaults? what size tank is he in what filter do you use? if it is not down to water can you get a mucus scrape done and take to your local shop to put under a scope to chek for a parisite.

 

[kdrun76]

That fish is 2 years old? Look hos small it is compared to the gravel in the picture. Not a good sign. A healthy red tail will grow a lot faster than that.

 

[mike b]

are you using water conditioner when doing water changes? is there anything else in the tank with it in my experience rtc are pretty hardy but they wont stand poor water conditions Im not sure but im thinking doing a water change everyday could also be stressing it out check your water parameters and of course your water temp I wouldnt add salt to the tank but do use a water conditioner also what are you feeding it?

 

[taksan]

What size tank is the fish in gallons AND dimensions please.
What type of filtration does the tank have ?
What other fish are in the tank?
What do you normally feed the fish and how often?
What is your normal water change frequency and % and how is the water treated?
As others have noted the fish seems very small for its age ..how big is it?
What is the temp of the tank? What's the PH? GH ?
What are your Ammonia, Nitirite and Nitrate levels ?
If you don't know any of these go and buy test kits and find out ?
Without this detailed information we are only making wild guesses ... supply the full parameters and its reasonable to assume that a solution can be found.

 

[peeves]

It's a 300 gallon tank. Dimensions: 72x30x25, WetDry Filter
Other fishes in the tank: Arowana, Parrot Fish, Flowerhorn Fishes, Gourami
It's Diet: frozen shrimp once a day.
Water Change: 3 times a week, 33%
pH: 7.08
Temp: 83F

The fish is approximately 50 pounds, 29 inches.

 

[peeves]

I wasn't sure if parasites were the problem since I couldn't spot any on its back.

 

[taksan]

It's a 300 gallon tank. Dimensions: 72x30x25, WetDry Filter
Other fishes in the tank: Arowana, Parrot Fish, Flowerhorn Fishes, Gourami
It's Diet: frozen shrimp once a day.
Water Change: 3 times a week, 33%
pH: 7.08
Temp: 83F

The fish is approximately 50 pounds, 29 inches.

Test your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate ...
I suspect a issue with one of the above.
The tank is way too small for that fish and sounds heavily overstocked.

 

[Redtailedcat]

It's a 300 gallon tank. Dimensions: 72x30x25, WetDry Filter
Other fishes in the tank: Arowana, Parrot Fish, Flowerhorn Fishes, Gourami
It's Diet: frozen shrimp once a day.
Water Change: 3 times a week, 33%
pH: 7.08
Temp: 83F

The fish is approximately 50 pounds, 29 inches.

there is no way that cat is 50lbs i have a 38'' rtc he is fat and hes only 34.5lbs.....just sayin. as for what your cat has i had a rtc get that too never found out what it was even the lfs couldint help me...its like a skin eattin disese or something heres a pic of mine just before he died.ps i did not raise this cat i got him from a lfs when he had little sores like yours and thought nothing really of it and treaded him with melafix and pimafix...not to say the least never got better i hope im wrong tho..

 

[catfish dan]

As i have already said the problem is water quality with both of the fish shown. High nitrite and amonie causes the fish to lose its mucus layer in areas alowing for sores to form then bacteria can get to the fish causing very bad infection. Peeves you still have a chance to safe your fish if you are willing to or if you have not already as we have heard nothing back form you and as Taksan has already said your tank is far to crouded for a tank and fish that size he sould be the only one in there!!!!