catfish and bichir very bad off.

snowhnter

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 20, 2009
306
1
18
West Virginia, USA
Yesterday the fish were fine. Noticed a very small cut on the catfish gills and today, this. Water tests are good. Nothing new added to the tank. Has been set up over 3 years. Any ideas? VIDEO0047_0000041144.jpg
 

snowhnter

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 20, 2009
306
1
18
West Virginia, USA
Also, the ornate bichir has died and at last check the catfish was on its side a very labored breathing. Only other fish in tank is a 3" female convict, unaffected.
 

pops

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Nov 24, 2013
6,247
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WA
no offence but from pic that does not happen over night, looks like mean ammonia burn to me. perhaps some else has seen this before, I have not.
 

snowhnter

Gambusia
MFK Member
Oct 20, 2009
306
1
18
West Virginia, USA
About the only thing I can find that comes close to my issue is a herpes virus found in catfish. It can lay dormant for years and then kill in 24 to 48 hrs. Both the catfish and bichir are now dead and the convict is still unaffected. I looked at the gills of the bichir and there was almost nothing to be found but was not tore up like the catfish. I don't know, but I guess I'll be researching the best way to sterilize my tank now.
 

pops

Alligator Gar
MFK Member
Nov 24, 2013
6,247
3,304
188
WA
bleach, take out the fish and bleach the pee out of it, then rinse the pee out of it.
 
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