NO CATFISH has scales - Otocinclus are catfish, so they don't have scales. Loricariiade (which includes Oto's) do have bony scutes under the skin, which makes it look like they have scales, but as opposed to scales, they are UNDER the skin. Heat is definitely a good idea, along with strong aeration ...

Set up your hospital tank using water and gravel from your main tank. Voila, the hospital tank is now cycled and you don't have to worry (as much) about an ammonia spike. Follow the instructions on your medications and do the best you can with timing, etc. This is all you can really do. You're right ...

Well....to start with, Otocinclus species have scales...so I believe salt would still be a good option for you. If I'm not mistaken the medications like "malachite green" and "nitrofurazone"that are commonly found in "Ich" medications are nastier on scaleless fish than salt I do not use any ...

how are they doing?

How's he doing?

Poor fella, no wonder he's got an attitude. It's nice that you rescued him - I think he should have been free to you; he would have died in the store, leaving the store with nothing anyhow; at least this way they salvage some decent reputation. Anyhow, he is a nice fish. Good luck with him. You may ...

Hi skyman30, I assume your fish has died. Chances are, there was nothing you could have done to save him. Bloated bellies are not something to take lightly. Most often, it's an internal bacteria infection that will take your fish very fast. You can't hesitate with treatment; you have to act fast and ...

Well, it seems as if the congenital diagnosis was incorrect. Here's a pic of this little guy today with his anus in the correct place and working as expected. There's no longer any sign of the hole in his side except it's still a little dented in. I believe this must have been a puncture wound ...

Hmm, I hadn't considered that it might be due to too much interbreeding or that it could be passed onto it's young. So thanks everyone for your input. He appears fine and not in any pain or misery. He's eating, etc. So I won't be destoying him unless this changes. I will however, separate him from ...

[img]http:300:202]http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z174 ... opleco.jpg[/img]

Wow, did it actually work?

Water parameters: 83F, 6.8ph, soft water, NHs all zero except nitrAte at 20ppm, WC once a week Tank set up: 90G, 48”X24”X24”, black shot sand with eco-complete gravel mixed, Rena Filstar XP3 and Whisper 30 from the same mature tank, there’s driftwood, rocks and plants. Tank mates: 2 tiger plecos (4”) ...