AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish). Please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. I keep fishes both as a scientist and as a hobbyist and I currently maintain about 140 aquariums.
Experience I am an Assistant Professor at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Question Hi. I am an experienced tropical fish keeper and my tank has been up and
running for six years. I've had lots of success with catfish and have even
had them breeding in my tank. For the last year though every catfish I
have had has lost it's dorsal fin resulting in death. I have left catfish for a
while but yesterday tried three new bronze catfish in my tank. Today all
three have lost either all their fin or part of it. Is this a parasite or is
something else eating them? I have a mixed tank with no vicious fish,
although I have two large clown loaches. Help?
Answer Hi Terri,
That is very peculiar. I have never heard of that. I would strongly suggest that one of your fish is not so peaceful. I would not suspect a parasite of doing that so effectively or rapidly -- that sounds like the result of one of your fish attacking the catfish.
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
