Seriously injured but seemingly comfortable upside-down catfish - euthanize or permit be?
I have an upside-down catfish that developed a bit of a condition. One of his side fins lost its skin and muscle, and now a bare bone sticking out of his side is adjectives that remains. Outwardly, it hasn't seem to have affected his behavior. He still swims cunningly around the bottom of the driftwood and plants, dart about, and rests upside-down underneath anything in the tank. There's zilch to indicate a change in mood or temperament. He just, ably, has a bare bone instead of a fin.
How it happened, I'm not certain. He's had the condition for several weeks at least. I don't suspect disease, because no other fish (including his fellow "downies") have exhibited any symptoms. We do enjoy two pictus catfish that can be aggressive, especially if the upside-down catfish invade their territory. So whether I had to guess, I would say it is an injury, not a disease.
So I guess my question is pretty subjective. I don't instinctively see a need to euthanize the cute little guy with the bone sticking out of his side instead of a fin, but if he's a goner besides or if he's in terrible distress (neither of which *seem* to be true), I'd rather end things for him quickly and as painlessly as possible.
Anybody hold any thoughts?
unless hes like breathing slowly or not moving, let him be. EXAMPLE: IF U SCRACHED YOUR LEGG , DO YOU WANT TO BE EUTHANIZED? unless anything elso occur, just let him be.
I would move about to a local fish store and explain it. It is probably some sort of fin rot, bacterial, fungus related deal. I've never heard of fin tissue just disappearing for no obvious reason.
Answers: If the fish isn't suffering and can still swim and eat normally I would just evacuate it and see what happens. It may grow back, or the fish may live fine without it.
It's also possible it's an infection that will respond to anit-biotics.
Ian
