White Patchy Stuff On Catfish (pictures)

I woke up this morning to find my panda Cory catfish with these white kinda fuzzy patches on its face. He's acting tired but occasionally moved to the other side of the tank. The pet store is out of my way but I will go tomorrow to get some meds.

My tank readings are
Ammonia, nitrite 0 ppm
Nitrate 0 to 5 ppm
Temp: 77 f

I did a 50% water change this morning and gravel vac. I always have a air pump going. What could be wrong with my little guy?

 

Sorry about the little guy. Looks like some kind of fungal or bacterial infection. CindiL might know what meds will help.

I'd lower the temp a bit to 74-75 as 77 is too high for pandas. I'd also consider swapping out the substrate to sand. Seems like it's a bit rough.

 

It could be "white spot" sickness try and look it up and see if the symptoms Match your catfish. my goldfish got it yesterday, so I put a tiny bit of sea salt in there and turn the temp up to 86 f and a lot of it is gone plus he had clamped fins too and he's a lot better not. btw make sure you look this up though because idk about catfish. Good luck fish your fishes!

 

I recently learned gravel doesn't go too well with cats so I'm going to swap that soon. I was thinking of getting pimafix for him using half dose. Catfish are sensitive to some meds. I read somewhere it treats fungal and bacteria infections. I don't know if it's true. I starting to lower the temp slowly to 74.

 

Hi, I wouldn't use pimafix for this, it won't be strong enough.
Would you describe the patches like a grey/white cotton? That's what it looks like. If so, its columnaris a very common fresh water fish disease. Sometimes referred to as cotton wool disease or cotton mouth or saddleback disease. You need to treat it with a combo of two medicine to get rid of it. First start with something that has nitrofurazone in it like API Furan 2, or Tetra Fungus Guard or I think Jungle Fungus Cure. You can one of those at most pet stores, just check the ingredients.

Along with this I would treat with a broad spectrum antibiotic. First choice is Seachem Kanplex (kanamycin), 2nd choice is Maracyn 2 (minocycline).

You can use both at the same time though start with the nitrofurazone as soon as you get it and full strength should be fine for these particular medicines. I have cories also and they are fine with this treatment. Just an FYI, this med will turn your tank a lovely shade of yellow/green.

 

It could be "white spot" sickness try and look it up and see if the symptoms Match your catfish. my goldfish got it yesterday, so I put a tiny bit of sea salt in there and turn the temp up to 86 f and a lot of it is gone plus he had clamped fins too and he's a lot better not. btw make sure you look this up though because idk about catfish. Good luck fish your fishes!

Not White Spot !

 

Yes that is what it kinda looks like. Thank you so much for the quick reply! I'll follow your advice and pick the medications tomorrow and read the ingredients. I am happy to say as of right now he is eating food still. I don't know what tomorrow holds but it's got to be a good sign he's still eating.

 

Not White Spot !

It was just a guess duhhh

 

It was just a guess duhhh

But why ?
There is no sign of that disease.

 

Yes that is what it kinda looks like. Thank you so much for the quick reply! I'll follow your advice and pick the medications tomorrow and read the ingredients. I am happy to say as of right now he is eating food still. I don't know what tomorrow holds but it's got to be a good sign he's still eating.

There are four strains of the disease. One will kill in 24 hours, one in days but the other two aren't as quick. Its hard to say which one your guy has but hopefully not the first one. Since he is the first to get it, if you catch it soon it may not spread to everyone.

 

I woke up this morning to find my 2 of my albino catfishes breathing hard. I forgot to mention my panda was doing this yesterday. Is that a sign of columnaris that one of the symptoms? All my other fish are fine. I'm on the way to the store now. Now I'm getting nervous

 

Yes it is.

 

Update:

I could only find jungle fungus clear. It has nitrofurazone in it. I put it in just now and my catfish immediately perked up! I'm going to order the seachem Kanaplex online. I'm trying to find an overnight shipping. I'm crossing my fingers.

 

I hope you caught it early enough and its not as virulent as the one that went through my tank last spring. My fish would die within 24 hours of me noticing they were "off". I lost half of my fish.

I think since you're getting right on it that will help prevent further infection.