It'S Gone Insane.

[xluckyscrubs13x]

I got a sucking catfish today, and all through the day he seemed normal, sucking on everything.
He's in a tank with a Betta, but the betta leaves him alone, unless he gets in his personal space. Which has happened twice. My catfish is an Idiot and ignores my Betta when he flares. He's only been nipped twice, but doesn't look like he has any damage.

Tonight though, I got home from work, and the catfish has appeared to have gone mental. He keeps swimming around the edges of the tank, constantly jumping around, poking his head out of the water until he stops at a fake plant I have and then just kinda sits there with his forehead just out of the water, not sucking on anything. It's almost as if he's grappling for grip on the sides of the tank but can't find any, and running out of air at the same time

Also, are the pellets i feed my goldfish which are out in a pond okay to feed the catfish? or do i need specific pellets? Fish chick said it could survive on algea and the live plant, but because of it's odd behaviour I'm not too sure.

Oh and the water temp is about 25 degrees.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[JenCliBee]

Sucking catfish doesn't really help out, it could be many fish with the description.

Whats the tank size, whats the water stats?

No it wont just survive on algae and plants, it will need to be fed foods which are specific for there needs, at the moment without knowing what the fish actually is, it's very hard to advise.

 

[xluckyscrubs13x]

Sucking catfish doesn't really help out, it could be many fish with the description.

Whats the tank size, whats the water stats?

No it wont just survive on algae and plants, it will need to be fed foods which are specific for there needs, at the moment without knowing what the fish actually is, it's very hard to advise.

I'm really not sure are the stupid shop only had *sucking catfish*. but it looks exactly like this:

And the tank's 6L, I don't know all the stats.

 

[JenCliBee]

6L?, sorry to say that tank isn't big enough for a betta never mind a quite aggressive sucking loach, what filtration has it got, what and how did you cycle the tank.

The only thing i would advise would be rehome all the fish and either buy a bigger tank or change the stocking in the tank you have at the moment, i would probably only advise shrimp for a tank that size and tbh even that i would consider to be to small.

 

[xluckyscrubs13x]

6L?, sorry to say that tank isn't big enough for a betta never mind a quite aggressive sucking loach, what filtration has it got, what and how did you cycle the tank.

The only thing i would advise would be rehome all the fish and either buy a bigger tank or change the stocking in the tank you have at the moment, i would probably only advise shrimp for a tank that size and tbh even that i would consider to be to small.

I've already been advised regarding the tank size. But I don't see how tank size could be making the fish not suck. Restless and hyperactive yes, but not all out stopping in sucking on the tank.

 

[Curiosity101]

I totally agree with FishyJake

I wouldn't recommend anything below 20l for a betta to live in. And the bare bare minimum would be 14l

He's totally correct, the loach you have is a chinese algae eater, these get extremely agressive as they grow. It's a fact that if you keep it in that tank it will attack your betta. Also it's meant to grow up to 12"

 

[JenCliBee]

6L?, sorry to say that tank isn't big enough for a betta never mind a quite aggressive sucking loach, what filtration has it got, what and how did you cycle the tank.

The only thing i would advise would be rehome all the fish and either buy a bigger tank or change the stocking in the tank you have at the moment, i would probably only advise shrimp for a tank that size and tbh even that i would consider to be to small.

I've already been advised regarding the tank size. But I don't see how tank size could be making the fish not suck. Restless and hyperactive yes, but not all out stopping in sucking on the tank.

Reason been becasue if the tank isn't filtered or cycled the ammonia and nitrite level is causing severe damage to the fish and also is probably whats causing the problems, basically you have been advised wrong, the tank is about 1.3/1.4 gallons. It ISNT big enough for the fish you are keeping, it ISNT advisable for the fish and you advice ISNT correct.

Does the tank have a filter?, does it have a heater?, has the tank been cycled?. Considering ive asked this twice now im imagining the answer is no to all of it.

Your been given advice here and blatantly disregarding it, why ask a question when you not willing to listen.

The questions ive asked are to try and find out your problems, the biggest problem so far is the tank size and that is without you giving any other information.

Who gave you the advise that the tank is big enough?

 

[Curiosity101]

I've already been advised regarding the tank size. But I don't see how tank size could be making the fish not suck. Restless and hyperactive yes, but not all out stopping in sucking on the tank.

Because the waste will be building up extremely quickly in that tank, particularly if it hasn't been cycled the ammonia will be sky high burning it's gills.
It also has no where near the space it needs.

Right now it will be in extreme distress and this is why it'll be acting how it is.
We don't recommend tank sizes for no reason you know.

 

[AdAndrews]

lets put it this way, the loaches "job" is to "suck" the algae, according to you, right?

say, us humans "job" is to walk, ok?? would you walk if you were burning alive, getting acid poured on you, or freezing to death?

the effects your new fish is feeling is toxication, eating is the last thought on its mind right now.

you need to get a larger tank, filtration and heater(if you dont already have one)

and take your current fish out, and then cycle your new tank.

 

[xluckyscrubs13x]

6L?, sorry to say that tank isn't big enough for a betta never mind a quite aggressive sucking loach, what filtration has it got, what and how did you cycle the tank.

The only thing i would advise would be rehome all the fish and either buy a bigger tank or change the stocking in the tank you have at the moment, i would probably only advise shrimp for a tank that size and tbh even that i would consider to be to small.

I've already been advised regarding the tank size. But I don't see how tank size could be making the fish not suck. Restless and hyperactive yes, but not all out stopping in sucking on the tank.

Reason been becasue if the tank isn't filtered or cycled the ammonia and nitrite level is causing severe damage to the fish and also is probably whats causing the problems, basically you have been advised wrong, the tank is about 1.3/1.4 gallons. It ISNT big enough for the fish you are keeping, it ISNT advisable for the fish and you advice ISNT correct.

Does the tank have a filter?, does it have a heater?, has the tank been cycled?. Considering ive asked this twice now im imagining the answer is no to all of it.

Your been given advice here and blatantly disregarding it, why ask a question when you not willing to listen.

The questions ive asked are to try and find out your problems, the biggest problem so far is the tank size and that is without you giving any other information.

Who gave you the advise that the tank is big enough?

I never said someone told me it was big enough. I said i'd been adviced on what size I should have.
And yes, the tank is heated and yes the tank has been cycled. Stop presuming things just because I asked if there was another reason why he could be acting up. My friend has a tank the same size as mine with the same catfish as I and it's quite happy in there. No the tank is not filtered, but I change the water every day to avoid ammonia build up.

 

[Curiosity101]

If it has no filter then it isn't cycled. I'm guessing this is 'cycling' according to what the bad fish shops say. Which is leaving it with water in it for 1 week.

Also the loach isn't a catfish.

If there is no filter and there are those two fish in there then even with daily changes the ammonia will be far too high imbetween changes.

I'd guess it's in excess of 8ppm imbetween changes.

 

[Harlequins]

The tank cannot be cycled if you haven't got a filter,i recommend you take the catfish back to the shop before you lose it

 

[JenCliBee]

6L?, sorry to say that tank isn't big enough for a betta never mind a quite aggressive sucking loach, what filtration has it got, what and how did you cycle the tank.

The only thing i would advise would be rehome all the fish and either buy a bigger tank or change the stocking in the tank you have at the moment, i would probably only advise shrimp for a tank that size and tbh even that i would consider to be to small.

I've already been advised regarding the tank size. But I don't see how tank size could be making the fish not suck. Restless and hyperactive yes, but not all out stopping in sucking on the tank.

Reason been becasue if the tank isn't filtered or cycled the ammonia and nitrite level is causing severe damage to the fish and also is probably whats causing the problems, basically you have been advised wrong, the tank is about 1.3/1.4 gallons. It ISNT big enough for the fish you are keeping, it ISNT advisable for the fish and you advice ISNT correct.

Does the tank have a filter?, does it have a heater?, has the tank been cycled?. Considering ive asked this twice now im imagining the answer is no to all of it.

Your been given advice here and blatantly disregarding it, why ask a question when you not willing to listen.

The questions ive asked are to try and find out your problems, the biggest problem so far is the tank size and that is without you giving any other information.

Who gave you the advise that the tank is big enough?

I never said someone told me it was big enough. I said I'd been advised on what size I should have.
And yes, the tank is heated and yes the tank has been cycled. Stop presuming things just because I asked if there was another reason why he could be acting up. My friend has a tank the same size as mine with the same catfish as I and it's quite happy in there. No the tank is not filtered, but I change the water every day to avoid ammonia build up.

LOL, so the tank is cycled but it has no filter , the filter is the part of the tank which collects the bacteria to actually make a tank cycled. Just becasue your friend has a tank the same size doesn't mean it's correct, if your friend jump off a building, would you?.

Ive just notice your other thread about a lethargic betta, you aren't willing to listen so basically the advice is wasted on you.

Simple things are... the tank isn't filtered so it,s not cycled, the tank is to small for the fish you have and last but not least your causing severe damage to your fish by A. keeping them in that tank, B. not listening to good advice, not just from me but other members aswell.

Your fish are slowing dieing, i would be very surprised that with your attitude and blatant disregard for correct info your fish will be dead within a couple weeks if nothing is done or rehomed

 

[loraxchick]

ok folks. let's not flame this person. they were OBVIOUSLY given some horrible advice which is why they are here. they only started posting within he last DAY! im sure they are listening to the advice. but jumping all over them is not going to be very helpful. more likely, going to make them not come back for help...ever. so please be more tactful with your/ our advice to ANYONE on this forum.
the advice given thus far is very very helpful and spot on, but the manor in which it is being given is not. i wouldnt say they are not taking advice to heart, just dont understand what the big picture is. so lets try to be more HELPFUL and less critical. i know it would drive me off right quick!
to the OP-
agreed with above that the "sucker" is acting this way as it is in distress. darting to the surface most likely as there is no filter. the filter in this case serves two purposes. #1- agitates the surface to introduce oxygen into the water. the betta is not as affected by lack of O2 as they have a special organ that allows them to surface breath in low O2 environments. the sucker does not have this ability and should NOT be gasping at the surface.
#2- the "stuff" in the filter builds up bacterial colonies that can take the waste from the fish (ammonia) which is POISONOUS to the fish, and ultimately converts it into a different compound which is basically harmless. id suggest to you that you read up on cycling and filters and WHY it is necessary to run a filter. i 100% suspect this is why both fish are acting off. the ammonia is burning gill tissue and the fish body casuing the zoomies in the sucker and the lethargy in the betta.
do some more research online about fishcare. your current set-up, even tho the store person told you it'd be fine (most likely anyway) is a set up for failure and ultimate demise of one if not both of those fish. your betta is better off in the set up, but realistically is not going to be comfortable long term. something bigger (at least 2-3 gals with a FILTER) is needed. if you find a nice 5 gal, you can even add tankmates using some precautions. but your current tank is just too small. sorry to say (but not really). do what's best for your fish-get rid of the sucker and a bigger filtered tank for your betta.
in the meantime do 50% water changes EVERYDAY to dilute the ammonia. also feed the fish every OTHER day (less food in=less waste out). sadly there are no reliable methods to filter a tank so small (even a sponge filter would be too big and take up too much swimming space...and i dont say that often).
best of luck to the OP. hope you can sort it out soon.
cheers

 

[AdAndrews]

also, ammonia doesnt neccasarily build up in the way that you think, the build up is bad, and getting to it isnt.. even 0.1ppm of ammonia is a bad thing