PlanetCatfish.com

So, I really never see my upside-down catfish. I have been planning to give her away to a local keeper. Anyways, today was supposed to be the day that I was going to give her away. When I started rummaging around the tank I eventually found her, but the fish I saw was not the fish I expected. What I saw was a pale and sick catfish. African catfish aren't my specialty so I have no clue what is wrong here. I have had her for just over 7 months. Please help. I am not giving her away until she is back to normal.
these photos may not be the best but, it is what i have.
What is wrong with her tail!? It doesn't look like what it used to. Why is she that pale????!!!! She used to look normal.


This is what she looked like a few months ago. (healthy)
What would you recommend for medication. I am working on a hospital tank now.

Water Parameters (I use RODI water remineralized with Brightwell Aquatics Remineralize)
<200 ppm TDS
pH: 7-6.8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates:<15
Temperature: ~78 deg F
She's in a 20 gallon long with a Fluval 207 and a UV Sterilizer.

Thanks,
-- Sean

It can be a hard task. Does the fish feed?

Could it be heater burns, or tank mate conflicts?

I think the water is likely too soft for this fish. What's KH and GH? This is one red flag for me.

If KH is 1-2 degrees, I'd bump it up to at least 3-5, so the pH is buffered. If the GH is the same, I'd bump it up the same for this kind of fish and I'd start by increasing water hardness in the hospital tank and making sure the fish feeds as expected. If it does, that'd be all I cared about in the first approximation and it'd be ready to be rehomed after a while, once it looks happy, healthy and as expected.

I'd make sure the fish doesn't get burnt or overheated by hanging on or near the heaters.

Thank you. Yes, it is most likely the super soft water. She hides in a rock cave all the time and is never near the heater. Her tank mates don't even know she's there. I will increase the GH/KH in the hopsital tank and see how she does.