RTC or Red Tail Catfish at Fish Story Aquariuma and Rescue

thebiggerthebetter

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As last year, beta-female RTC tested alpha-male's physical strength as part of breeding behavior:

 

thebiggerthebetter

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The alpha male was tested again, probably by the same beta female but the alpha female also sports some damage, so I am not sure.

 
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thebiggerthebetter

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Alpha female RTC was attacked. Tentatively it seems to be the alpha male RTC and perhaps also the TSNxRTC hybrid. Is this a test of strength of a potential breeding mate?

 

thebiggerthebetter

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1+ month ago: 4ft RTC a-female turned upside down
2-3 weeks ago: same happened to 3ft a-male & to lesser degree to 3.5ft b-female

Nothing's changed, younger 3ft b-male seems ok. The only thing that unites the 3 sick RTC is the origin (rescues from Dayton Ohio Mar 2016) and age ~9yo. a-male and b-female participated in courtship two times this summer.

Water, egg/milt binding, feed causes have been discarded. Must be the bacteria finally got to them, perhaps columnaris. Must get a vet pathology lab service now for sure!

 
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thebiggerthebetter

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Desperate attempt: injecting 750mg of erythromycin antibiotic into each of 3 gravely ill RTCs 9yo 3ft-4ft:

 
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