pduffy76

My shark cat fish has a red bubble on either side of his caudal fin near the top. It is about the size of a small pea and shaped as such, attached to his skin symmetrically on both sides. It appeared suddenly (overnight) and though he doesn't seem to act differently, I am worried about it. The internet has not been much help and neither have my fish books. I have attached a picture -- ever seen this? Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!

Attached Images

Gruido Growth on Tail.jpg (69.3 KB, 17 views)

COBettaCouple

welcome to fishlore.

It's really unusual for a disease to act symmetrically like that. what are the current ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings? what is the water temp, size of the tank and other fish in the tank. How long have you had him?

Gozer_1

My first guess would be some kind of parasite. Could be causing the bubble to come out both sides because it's in the thin part of the tail. Out of curiosity, what size tank do you have this fish in and how long have you had him? What you have there is a Pangasius Catfish. They need way more water than you might think. In the wild they grow to be 4 FEET long. If they're in too small a tank it can cause them to get weak against diseases.

pduffy76

My tank is 110 gallons, filled to approx 90-100 gallons. I have three filters going on two units: Whisper PF-60 and PF-40

I have about 44 creatures in there--

15 tetras (2: Diamond, Lamp Eye, Skirt Fin, Emperor, Bleeding Heart, Serpae, red/blue Columbian, and 1 Columbian.)
3 Mollies
6 Adult Platys, 2 mid sized ones, and 2 babies (they keep breeding)
3 Loaches (Coolie, Clown, and Sucking)
1 Plecostomus
1 Pangius Catfish (Gruido)
1 Glass Catfish
1 Angelfish (mate died, self-declared widow)
2 Danios
2 Gouramis
2 Goldfish (Shubunkin)
1 Red Eared Slider Turtle (missing part of his head, unable/unwilling to bite other fish)
1 Freshwater Shrimp
1 Albino Frog

I know it may sound like a lot of fish, but everyone in the tank seems happy and there hasn't been a death in quite sometime. They swim together and don't fight as though crowded for space.

I did a test on the water and here are the results:

Nitrate 80 ppm (unsafe*)
Nitrite 0
Hardness 150 ppm (hard)
Chlorine 0
Alkalinity 80 ppm (moderate)
PH 6.8 (neutral)

* I have treated the tank for nitrates and have never been able to successfully bring them down, even after dumping bottles of pricey concoctions for months on end. Can't fish adjust to higher nitrate levels? Is this a conspiracy to sell an endless supply of aquarium products?

Hope this information helps, the blood bubbles are still on Gruido's tail and he is active as ever. Should I treat the tank for parasites?

COBettaCouple

What about the possibility of this being ulcers? any other opinions on that?