We manufacture fiberglass aquaculture tanks for a wide range of uses. We have over 400 standard sizes and shapes for cost-effective solutions. However, we also specialize in custom fabrication and have the personnel, facility, experience, and expertise to manufacture tanks in any size, shape, or...
The straight-snout hybrid that came to us from Ft. Myers half a year ago had been doing exceedingly well in the "peaceful" 4500 gal but then stopped its remarkably vigorous feeding abruptly and was sulking for nearly 2-3 months, eventually lost control of its swimming and died. I saw no external symptoms of a bacterial or viral illness, no parasites, so looking back my only shot-in-the-dark guess would be internal parasites.
Often we never know what prior owners fed their fish and live feeders are regrettably still quite a popular way of feeding for many hobbyists. The feeders, especially the goldfish who have a naturally strong immune system, come with a full bouquet of pathogens and can come with internal parasites transferable to a predator.
The poor guy remained physically quite strong to the end, which was rather exceptional IME, just couldn't swim right.
My guess is 2 years old. 27". It looks like it added on about 5"-6" in the 3 months of doing well with us.
I thought I'd link our cold case from 2011-2012, which was solved in 2013. In low DO conditions, TSNxRTC can live and even feed as if all is normal, then stop digesting feed and die. Never come to the surface. Never visually indicate it is suffocating. https://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=33298
Our big hybrid, about 7 yo, 3.5ft, got into a huge fight with someone in its tank. Before this, I had witnessed it being the bully or at least the initiator of fighting with the RTCs every now and then. But who it fought with this time, IDK, didn't see it. Lost good part of the upper lobe of tail fin, both pectorals and both pelvic fins are well tattered. Didn't feed last time, although fed vigorously before each feeding for a year at least, which tells me it is stressed still, from the fight or the injuries.
This had been our only hybrid for a while until we have recently got another one, a rescue from a fellow rescuer Randy of Fort Myers, FL. 2 feet. Tough guy: