Pictus Cat Fish top spike damaged

Long story short, I was given a 5 inch Pictus cat fish. His top spike fin and one side fin had become tangeled in a net, The top spike is stripped of flesh and the other only a tip. I know about fungus and have him in a 10 gallon hospital, with every other day water changes and treating him with antibiotic. Any one know what else I can do to help heal him up?? How long do I need to treat him??

 

And that is why you never use a net with pointy fish. I’ve been lucky the few times I made that mistake, now I catch them by hand. That way at least I’m the one getting hurt and not them.

Pristine water is a must, probably daily 50% changes. Maybe give him a place to hide just cause most catfish like a bit of shelter.

 

A good quality variety of food might help, in addition to the meds and water changes. Agreed that hiding spots (even as simple as PVC pipes or terra cotta pots) might help reduce his stress.

What meds are you using?

 

And that is why you never use a net with pointy fish. I’ve been lucky the few times I made that mistake, now I catch them by hand. That way at least I’m the one getting hurt and not them.

Pristine water is a must, probably daily 50% changes. Maybe give him a place to hide just cause most catfish like a bit of shelter.

I will find him a hidey spot tonight. Just got home. He's in with 2 emerald cory's. One had a bit of fungus on it when I got them, so I thought I would treat all together just to be safe.

 

A good quality variety of food might help, in addition to the meds and water changes. Agreed that hiding spots (even as simple as PVC pipes or terra cotta pots) might help reduce his stress.

What meds are you using?

I will find him a hidey hole this evening. I was using Cephalexin to treat him. LFS said that was fine to kill any fungus, but to switch to Melafix to regrow his skin. Sure hope it works. I am tired of messing with him. I do not like Pictus catfish. If I hadn't promised him to a friend, I would take him to my LFS and let her worry with him. But...I will keep him, treat him good, and make him well.

 

Melafix is basically useless, I'd stop wasting your time on it. Water changes will work just as well as Melafix.

If you don't have any other pictus, I would give him to your LFS, and explain to your friend that he needs more of his own species, and you don't want/have room for those.

 

I would give it to my LFS, but I did promise my friend she can have it. I just can't break a promise, so I will just have to suffer thru healing this silly thing.

 

Why not give it to her now then?

 

I can't in good conscience give her a sick fish. I don't want him to get lost/hide/ in her aquarium and get sick and die.

 

I can't in good conscience give her a sick fish. I don't want him to get lost/hide/ in her aquarium and get sick and die.

I’m the same way.

 

I was just thinking that she could nurse it back to health instead of you, since it'll be her fish. That's all, not dump a sick fish on her without her knowledge. But if she doesn't have a QT tank, then it's a moot point anyway!