Large Holes And Ulcers On My Walking Catfish - Please Help!

Hello everyone,

I have come home from a short holiday to find that my walking catfish had big ulcers on its front and other on its side. I wasn't too sure what they were, but still decided to do all the necessary checks in the tank, and did a new water change, although the water still appeared to be in good condition.

The next day, the ulcer burst and this left a big hole in the side of the fish!

Does anyone have any ideas what disease this could be and how to treat it? Is there anything i should be doing in the mean time?

I have two photos but it doesnt seem to let me upload them which would obviously help with the diagnosis.

Kind regards,

Paul

Attached a photo now i have made the pic a bit smaller

another pic

It doesn't look nice. If you haven't introduced anything new to the tank recently then parasites is the less likely cause and I would start with a bacterial med of some kind as soon as possible.
Someone else may have seen these and give you a more educated advice what this could be.

Thanks for getting back to me Snazy. I purchased the tank with about 6 other fish 2 months ago. The Chichlids died with the same parasite. I thought it was an bacterial infection so i bought 'anti slime and velvet'. The ulcers are quite large, and its been suggested to me to put the poor fish out of its misery using clove oil.

In your opinion does he look too far gone to recover?

I am a trier and I haven't euthenized a fish yet
If you don't know what's causing it and you purchased the tank like that try a broad parasite medication. Then follow up with a bacterial anyway as because of the ulcers the fish can get additional stuff.
Alternatively in the mean time you can try salt baths with the affected catfish. I am not sure they tolerate salt but what do you have to lose anyway? Salt treats some parasites and can prevent additional infection so it is worth a shot.
It looks contagious if some of your other fish are getting it

I will try a salt bath. The walking catfish can be out of water and breathe quite easily out of water. I could just try to douse him in salty water to clear up his wound