Striped Rapheal Catfish, good news and bad news.

squiggles1

As the title says this is about a Striped Raphael Catfish.
Ok, first the good news. We were in Walmart the other day and as always checked the fish. Now we have got a few fish from there that survived but alot that didn't and judging by the dead fish in their tanks and the excellent params in ours I assume it wasn't our fault. Anyway we were looking and I saw a very cool looking catfish that I had never seen before. I couldn't find the info for him there so checked our phone (has internet access) and saw he was a talking catfish that maxed out at 15cm. So there was no way we were leaving without him.
Now the bad news. On the way home we noticed his eyes were cloudy. I decided to test the water from the store to see what I came up with. Well I didn't like what I read on the results! Here they are: ph 7.6, ammonia 0.25 or greater, nitrite 0, nitrate 80. Now you can see why I was concerned! The fish is still alive, he's in our 30g planted and at night I've been putting pellets in for him and our other cleaner crew. I really want him to live and would love any experience with these guys or advice. He's always hiding so I haven't got a chance to see if his eyes have gotten any better. We've had him for about 4 days now.

Falina

These fish hide a lot. To get a better look at him you might have to switch off the light, and the room lights and sit at the tank and wait. It could be a while though.

It's important that you feed the pellets and good to see that you are. You are probably doing this already, but put them in at ngiht after the lights are off, because they hide so much and I have heard of them starving to death because they won't come out in daylight to get their pellets.

Hopefully he will be alright. The parameters were bad in the pet store, but he's in better water now, so should have a fighting chance. :)

Lupin

This catfish apparently is nocturnal from the information I gathered. Squiggles, I just got one this week.;) He seems a bit weak but I'm hopeful he'll pull through soon enough to enjoy swimming around.:) I haven't seen him much either but I do understand it is natural for them until they become clearly accustomed to your tank.:)

Good luck with yours.

Lupin

You're giving me nightmares, Julie. I shouldn't have read this thread.

*Keeps knocking wood*

Falina

Aww I'm sorry!

I have never had one, but was wanting to get one at a point (you may remember the one in the chatroom I was showing you) and so have researched them. I read this a few times. Apparently it's best to aim the food at their hiding place so they have a good chance of getting it before other fish eat it.

Once, though, they become accustomed to the tank, apparently they have a glutenous appetite! :)

Lupin

My loach will only snatch the bloodworms before the Raphael can. Very tricky. I'll try though and I can only keep my fingers cross hoping it'll work.:)

Rue

I had a striped rapheal for about a year or so...never saw him of course...but made sure he was okay during tank cleanings...

...and then one day...he died...water was good...other fish were fine...

...now you have me wondering whether he didn't eat enough... :(

Lt.Dan

A year is pretty good, probably old age, especially when you dont know how long he was in the store. My uncle(big fish guy) had one of these his was almost always out in the open around his driftwood, and would eat whenever the pellets were put in. Idk maybe he was just special :D