Redtail Catfish unusual Problem

[Talsier]

I'm having a problem I've never seen before, and I'm hoping to recieve some insight from the collective here. There appeared, this morning, to be a large semi-transparent bubble protruding from my Redtails right gill. I took a couple of picks that maybe will help out, but I can't find anything in a search, and my local aquarium shop is no help. This tank is new to him, but not new and all my Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate..etc are at the absolute minimum. Plenty of oxygen, and he's the only fish in this tank right now. I don't know what to even start looking for for this. I've never seen anything like it before. He is only about three to four months old. Please, anyone who can help. Just take a look, and tell me what you think?

[Proteus]

wow, a first for me too, good luck with your rtc x tsn hybrid

[Talsier]

Thnx. I'm really worried bout this guy. I don't know how to treat it if I don't know what's wrong. Hopefully someone will give some insight.

[MatsP]

Could you please post the numbers for your nitrate, nitrite and ammonia tests? And do a large water change with dechlorinated water.

How long has the tank been set up?

Are there any other fish in the tank?

I would be VERY surprised if this is not water quality related....

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Mats

[Talsier]

Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5.0 ppm. Tank has been set up for a year. It was previously a Cichlid tank with 6 3" Cichlids. They have been gone for a little over a month, and the tank is used as a quarantine tank and has remained working since the other fish were removed. This tank is only 55 gallons, though this particular fish will go into a 320 gal tank when he's big enough. I did do a 20% water change with RO water though. I hope the softer water doesn't have anything to do with it. He still swims and acts normal though. I will do another large water change tonight then. Thanks for replying! i need all the help I can get.

[MatsP]

What is your water hardness?

RO water in itself shouldn't cause a problem, but if the overall hardness is very low, it will potentially cause problems...

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Mats

[naturalart]

I've actually seen this before, but never explored its origins. If the cat is acting and eating normally I wouldn't be in a big hurry. As Matts suggested check your water quality and maybe work from there. But basically I would just keep the fish isolated so nothing will nip at, snag or infect this obviously fine and sensitive tissue. Smooth stones. Perhaps a mild antibiotic such as melafix to see if that will make a difference. Fish have a pretty strong resiliance and maybe if the fish gets some lean and live foods such as shrimp and insects, etc., it's biology may reduce this "bubble" on its own. Just some suggestions.
Good Luck.

[Talsier]

Water hardness is around 7. Weird sack/bag that appeared to be something like a swim bladder disappeared and he looked normal when I got home from work. Now, it is back the way it was. Stranger and stranger now. Thanks for the reassurance naturalart, I'm feeling better, but still.. the not knowing what it is is driving me nuts! WE'll try the shrimp. I think he's eating the pellets normally anyway.


Also thanks Mats

[naturalart]

Yeah, strange thing. Maybe if/when it is big enough you can medicate it pull the fish out and try to see physically, what it is exactly (membrane, bladder, etc)? Please keep us posted.

[crkinney]

Is it possible that this fish was shipped buy air or traveled over the rocky' s land freight .If so it is it's swim bladder .
How long have you had it.
mule

[Talsier]

I've had him close to three months now. He was in a 30 Gal tank by with two small cory cats. When I bought them, they were all the same size. But because I procrastinated, in two months he got big enough to eat the corys before I moved him into his own tank. So basically, he was in a 30 gallon tank with no problems for about two months. At the beginning of the second month I moved the cichlids out of the tank he's in now, and made sure the tank conditions were very good. He was in there for a couple of days without a problem. Now then, I have quite a few tanks, and I've done this many many times. never with a redtail before though, and never seen this coming. I'm looking at him right now, and everything is normal. It seems to go away and come back, but it's hard to monitor since I've been here only a few hours out of each day due to a busy weekend.

I'll keep on the research and let ya know what I find out. Thank you all very much. I really do appreciate you.