Sudden fin deterioration

[natczer]

Hello everyone,

Just looking for advice. Have a tank with a trio of viejitas. The fins on one of the females seemed to disappear overnight. She was sitting at the top of the tank, barely breathing...looking like she was on the way out. I dosed the tank with melafix (without much hope). Today she is looking better, swimming around a little and eating. Any other suggestions? Haven't had something come on this quickly before.

Natalie

 

[tjudy]

Lots of water changes... Sounds like you had an ammonia or nitrite surge. Fin rot (the bacterial infection) will rarely wipe fins overnight, but ammonia/nitrite will. The gasping at the surface is also indicative.

 

[Mike Wise]

Sounds like 1 or more fish might be beating on the damaged fish. If it has no territory, the top of the tank is usually where subdominant fish end up.

 

[natczer]

re

Thanks...
Will do water changes and keep dosing.
Hmm...I do do frequent water changes. Is it odd that it would affect one fish not others is it was ammonia/nitrite problem?

Natalie

 

[tjudy]

Depends upon the types of fish. Some fish are more susceptible to lower levels of ammonia/nitrite than others.

 

[natczer]

re

Okay, things seem to have settled in my tank. The male wasn't affected at all...The female pretty much has no tail left, but she's swimming easily and eating well. Have been doing water changes and just treating with melafix...She has a fuzzy fungus-like substance on her tail stump...any ideas?

 

[mervin]

could be infection due to her tail loss or perhaps fungus ???

think u should perhaps use something stronger then Melafix.

 

[natczer]

re

That's what I was thinking...infection...I don't think it's fungus. What would you suggest...I live in Aus. so not sure about the availability of all medications. I obviously want to encourage fin growth.

 

[Xanathos]

Fungus disease are much more slow growing that what you experienced. It takes weeks, if not months, for them to be visible and make damages. IMO, it's a bacterial disease and treating with Melafix was the right thing to do...

To prevent it to come back again, make sure you have enought water movement, specially on the water surface... Check your water change routine, etc etc. Bactérial diseases often = bad tank condition/oxygen level.

Phil

 

[fishgeek]

flexi/flavi bacteria whichever name they use now
or columnaris
it is a bacterial disease responsible for mouth fungus(go figure!) and fin rot that you are experiencing

it is simple to treat as like fungal infections it is often secondary to intial fin damage
get a general antibacterial, melafix does have some antiseptic properties
i tend to use esha products if they are available to you

andrew

oh also gradual temp decrease and slight salinity increase will aid in ridding bacterial infection

 

[natczer]

re

Thanks everyone...

I'll try all those things.

Natalie