NANFA-- catfish health question from webpage

njz (njz_at_clevelandmetroparks.com)
Tue, 4 Nov 2003 23:11:16 -0500

Please read message below and respond to the list. I will forward the
posted messages back to the person. Here is my response that I copied to
him:

Hi Donnie. Sounds like you have a very interesting problem here. I am
posting your question to the list and will forward any responses back to
you. To give you my opinion, it sounds as though your fish may have some
kind of tumor growing in his tongue. Another possibility is that the fish
could be suffering from ichthyophonis, a fungal infection that tends to
manifest itself with symptoms that include an open mouth. The bottom line
is that the only possibilities at this point is to contact a fish vet in
your area (local zoo or public aquarium) and see if they can possibly take a
biopsy of the tongue to see what the problem is. They can also prescribe a
medication which might have to be injected.

Nick Zarlinga

"If we ignore nature.....maybe it'll go away."

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay DeLong" <thirdwind_at_att.net>
To: <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 9:11 PM
Subject: NANFA-- catfish health question from webpage

> Here is a question from website visitor Don Walton and his email is
> proactive.fd_at_verizon.net
>
> It seems he needs help fast. If you have any advice for him can you
please
> also share it with the list. Thanks!
>
> >From: "Don Walton" <proactive.fd_at_verizon.net>
> >Subject: catfish
> >Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 15:48:48 -0800
> >
> >
> >Hi, I have kind of a weird question for you and was hoping you could be
of
> >some help. I have a bullhead catfish that has come down with something
> >really weird. I have had him for about 2 years and about a week ago he
> >stopped eating. Today I saw he was getting really skinny and swimming
> >around with his mouth open, it looked like he was choking on
> >somethning. It turns out it was his tounge, it is about the size of a
> >golf ball and taking up his whole mouth, he cant eat and seems to be
> >having trouble getting water threw his gills. Have u ever heard of this
> >is ther anything I can do? Thanks for the help.
> >
> >Concerned catfish lover,
> >
> > Donnie

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/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org