Frayed fins...

dancin_trancy · 03-02-2006, 05:37 PM

Hello guys,
The other day I noticed that on my larger clownfish, one of its fins on the underside of its body had a split in it. Other than that all looked okay...

Today when I got home I was checking things out and all the fins on the underside of her body are frayed, what could have caused this so fast? Also, she has a white dot on her face, dont so much think its ich, but could be wrong. I have the clown pair and a Midas blenny which I purchased about 3-4weeks ago. They all have been getting along great, I watch them all the time, no bulling going on.....

Water per. are fine....working on trying to stablize my temp and sg. (due to water evap, posted another thread on that earlier today) temp 78-81 sg 1.026-1.028.

Can anyone help me? Is this a sign of her going down hill, or somewhat to be expected through the life of the fish....they all have been beautiful up until now...so thats why Im worried, all are acting fine, eating/swimming well etc.

Any info would be appreciated...

rickzter · 03-02-2006, 07:28 PM

Might be fin-rot. If it is, I believe it's parasitic. Your water quality will be the culprit. Might also be if you introduced a fish with fin rot. Consider getting an ozoniser or sterilizer to keep those blasted parasites zapped. It can be treated with anti-biotics, do a search on it.

dancin_trancy · 03-03-2006, 10:52 AM

Okay thank you....I also watched them over most of the night while the moon lights were on, to see if I could find anything that could also be the cause...I noticed that the fish in question tends to "sleep" on the bottom of the tank, squiggling very close to the sand...could that also cause the fins to fray, since its only on the bottom of her body? I will look into the antibiotics~ Thanks for your help!

rickzter · 03-03-2006, 01:48 PM

It could be rubbing the fins on the grains of the sand, but I highly doubt that. How decayed are the fins? Post a pic of the fish to take a better look.

Michaelr5 · 03-03-2006, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancin_trancy

I noticed that the fish in question tends to "sleep" on the bottom of the tank, squiggling very close to the sand...could that also cause the fins to fray, since its only on the bottom of her body?

Both of mine do the same. As a matter of fact they end up digging shallow holes overnight! I doubt that that is the issue.

Mike

dancin_trancy · 03-05-2006, 02:38 PM

Ya, its fin rot.....they both now have the problem on their "tail" and dorsal fins. I took some pics anyway, sorry they didn't come out very clear.

Now, isn't fin rot a form of bacteria? How would it be parasitic? Are you saying that a parasitic infection "sparked" the fin rot...due to stress etc? When I first purchased my smaller of the two clowns, I thought he might have a parasitic infection, as is feces did not seem normal (white and stringy at times, he seemed to be constipated etc) I changed his diet, and fed him boiled peas to relieve his symptoms, and things seemed to go back to normal, he has those problems now and again, but I was under the assumption that perhaps he had "special dietary needs."

I have had both of them for over 3 months and other than that issue, all was well. I purchased a Midas blenny about 3 weeks ago....they all seem to be getting along great...no bulling, no one seems to mind the others.....but I'm curious that although there is no fighting going on, it still is causing too much stress for the clowns that the Midas is there????

I did a 20% water change, all perimeters are good, the fins other than the pieces missing, or frayed slightly, there is no sign of inflammation, whiteness, bleeding etc which are some of the others symptoms listed, but maybe those are in the later stages. They are all eating fine, and seem to be acting as usual.

Is it possible that it will cure its self given the proper water quality, nutrition, stress level etc? Or should I go ahead and place the clowns in a quarantine tank to treat with antibiotics? Also, the Midas is not showing any signs what so ever of fin rot, is it safe to assume that he is in good enough health to fight it off, and to leave him in the display tank?

Also, would you suggest I consider taking out the Midas? Although there is no visible signs of stress with him being in there (overcrowding) is it possible that placing him in there caused this, and I should take him out?

Sorry its so long....but I want to give as much info as possible. Thanks for your help!!!

These pics are of the larger clown, which began showing signs first....

dancin_trancy · 03-05-2006, 02:39 PM

Here are the pics of the smaller one, which has the "digestive problem" I think....

again, sorry they are not very clear...

Michaelr5 · 03-05-2006, 06:46 PM

According to Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies (the first book I bought before getting into this), fin rot is bacterial, usually Aeromonas, pseudomonas, or vibrio. Water quality is thought to be the cause or at least contributor to the problem.

Suggests water change and use of antibiotics. Augmentin, Ciprofloxin, and Furanace are suggested.

dancin_trancy · 03-05-2006, 07:30 PM

yeah, that was the information I was able to find in all my sources...just threw me off when rickzter advised he thought it was parasitic. I think I'm going to go ahead and place the two clowns in QT....and probably set them up with antibiotic treatment. Ill keep everyone posted!

I really hope things come out okay!

Anyone have any incite pertaining to whether or not I should consider removing my Midas Blenny? I thought I did my best to not be "one of those people" who purchase a fish, then have to remove it...I always research, but perhaps not enough....anywho...any advise is welcome!

Thanks a bunch for everyones help thus far!

You guys are great!

Michaelr5 · 03-06-2006, 10:47 AM

Supposedly the Midas is gentle enough and reef safe, but they have been known to be harrassing fin nippers in small quarters. It is a possiblility.

Mike