My little tiny catfish had this weird fin that had no flesh on it. It was just a bony spike that sticked out of it's side. I never really bothered to do anything to it since I thought it would heal...but I still closely observed him. When I saw him today...his fin was missing...I netted him out and took pictures of his injury. I gave him 5 large blackworms which he gobbled up quickly. At least I know he's eating. :D Should I keep on eye on him for infection or illness...or will this heal over....?

I have no idea how this happened...:dunno:

Pics...

How well does he get around? If the missing fin is limiting his movement you might want to keep him seperate to make sure he is getting enough food so that he doesn't get weak and stressed and become more suseptable to infection. Maybe treat him with ....................(brain fart, cant remember the name of the betta med for fins).

The fin was really useless before...I'd doubt he would have any problems now with swimming. Since he lives under rocks and I usually see him once every couple days, I'm not sure what the hell he eats... :laugh:. I'll keep an eye on him...I'll see how fat he is and look for signs of stress and infection for the next couple weeks.

...also...does anyone know what type of catfish he is? He's native...that's all I know. I was thinking brown bullhead, flathead, or channel catfish? :dunno:

His pectoral fins look really red at the joints, is that just the light as its hard to tell. As the fin has totally gone and if the redness is there then it looks like a bacterial infection. I can also see some unevenness with the stomach bulging out to one side which may be with the camera angle, but it doesnt look like the catfish is too well.

I don't normally suggest medication, however in the case of that fish I am thinking an antibiotic might be a good idea.

It was because he ate a few blackworms before the picture. :)


I'll get him in a hospital tank and give him some meds soon as I get home....

Oh and he looks like a bullhead to me, which means his head should be rather big for his body, but I think you need to work on getting him a tad more food.

How long is he?

He eats a lot...He's always very very fat. When I see him he nibbles on algae waffers and left over flakes and blackworms.


He's less then an inch...his head is much smaller then your pinky fingernail.

How is he doing Shadow?

He was doing great, it healed up...but he jumped out the other day.


I hate it when fish jump out... :tdown:

Bummer! :rip: