Continued A. Magoi issues

[BullTerrierChild]

Hi, I am down to my last Orinoco Dolphin Catfish (A. Magoi) ever since I lost 3. 2 of these 3 have died from causes relating to them "withering away." I believe that all of the cats have experienced it, and my final one seems to be losing weight as well. I have tried aquarium salt, flubendazole, and pimafix to no avail yet. When an outbreak occurred in my 75-gallon aquarium, I moved her to a small 5-gallon to prevent her from catching the infection. She has just moved back-the infected fish that are still alive are better (Still showing signs of fungus) but the 5-gallon was getting very dirty and likely unsafe, so I did what I had to do. This post isn't about that, though. I am starting to wonder if the withering issue is just the result of the cats being wild caught and less genetically fit, like its relative the Wallace's Shoehead Catfish (Reported for having withering problems on PlanetCatfish). another suspicion is that she hasn't been getting enough food as she doesn't hunt and waits for the food to come to her and has been with competitive eaters. If someone here has experience with these fish, please provide any help or closure if necessary. Of course, anybody else can pitch in if they would like, it will be very appreciated. Any questions will be happily answered. Thank you and Happy New Year.

 

[GaryE]

I haven't kept "Auchenipteridae" (if I spelled that right!), but have watched them at a friend's. As wild caughts, they'll be very genetically fit, but maybe not fit for aquariums. They need water movement and tons of live food. Generally, when predators like that get wasting, it's because they don't get enough healthy food. Sometimes, the hobbyist, or the importer before the hobbyist even saw the fish used feeder goldfish or minnows from the trade, and they pick up diseases from the badly treated feeders. Some of those store feeder tanks are loaded with tb and other killers.

Some species are more sensitive than others.

You seem to know your fish so I'll assume you have adequate water flow and the right temperatures, with a good maintenance regime. To me, that leaves feeders as the prime suspect. They're all too often carriers of bacterial infections.