Whirling disease?!

[Jjiang00]

Have you tested your water?

No

If I did not test my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

If I do not change my water...

...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

This fish arrived floating upside down and after giving it some epsom salt, puked out some white stuff.

it’s been a week and now he’s doing backflips and hasn’t eaten anything. Is this whirling disease or swim bladder related? Any help would be appreciated!!



Also does whirling disease only affect salmon? Can it affect piraiba catfish?

 

[kno4te]

Likely swim bladder syndrome. Don’t think it’s from whirling disease but from bad water when it arrived. I’d suggest lowering the water level so the fish can’t swim in that pattern. Hard to do but if it can settle down then it has a chance but wouldn’t suggest any meds. Keep your water clean. Just IMO.

 

[Jjiang00]

Likely swim bladder syndrome. Don’t think it’s from whirling disease but from bad water when it arrived. I’d suggest lowering the water level so the fish can’t swim in that pattern. Hard to do but if it can settle down then it has a chance but wouldn’t suggest any meds. Keep your water clean. Just IMO.

This is exactly what i was thinking and for the first week just left him alone, but what has me really concerned is I put in another fish of the same species that I got ordered from the same place shipped a few days later that arrived in much better condition.

I put it in with him and a few days later he started doing backflips and doing circles all the time as well which makes me wonder if it really is ammonia poisoning from shipping. What do you think? I’m being really cautious because I’ve read about whirling disease and dont want to take any chances with my other fish.

 

[kno4te]

This is exactly what i was thinking and for the first week just left him alone, but what has me really concerned is I put in another fish of the same species that I got ordered from the same place shipped a few days later that arrived in much better condition.

I put it in with him and a few days later he started doing backflips and doing circles all the time as well which makes me wonder if it really is ammonia poisoning from shipping. What do you think? I’m being really cautious because I’ve read about whirling disease and dont want to take any chances with my other fish.

Can’t rule out whirling disease completely. See this more in gars than catfish. Think meds could aggravate a already stressed out fish. I’d keep the catfish solo with a low water level so the fish can feel the bottom of the tank. Try and wait it out. Provide clean water. Bad water can cause swim bladder and buoyancy issues. If it’s not infection related then putting meds won’t help.