William H Wildgoose MRCVS
Pet fish vet
Foreign body in red tailed catfish
This young catfish had swallowed objects in the past but regurgitated them. This time, it was unable to do so and had been off its food for a few days. A small ulcer had developed near the left pelvic fin, and a darkening of the skin was noted in areas where the foreign body caused an internal pressure effect. An X-ray revealed a plastic foreign body in its belly, which was gently removed under anaesthesia. The fish made a rapid recovery over the next few days and is still alive after 12years.
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Red tailed catfish with a bulge on the belly with local skin pigmentation (horizontal arrow) and a small ulcer near the left pelvic fin (vertical arrow)
Lateral view X-ray reveals a plastic foreign body (thought to be a tank heater fitting) in the belly
Red tailed catfish commonly swallow non-food items in their tank
Red tailed catfish with a bulge on the belly with local skin pigmentation (horizontal arrow) and a small ulcer near the left pelvic fin (vertical arrow)