African Butterflyfish, deteriorating danglers...

[V1xIII]

I noticed today that the danglers (for lack of a better word, i'm sure they are a modified fin of some kind) on one of my butterflyfish seem rather short. At closer inspection it looks like perhaps they are deteriorating to due some sort of bacterial/fungal infection.

The ends are whitish and somewhat cottony looking, hard to tell exactly due to how thin they are. When I bought him many months ago they were pretty chewed down from the tankmates at the LFS, but had grown back out since I had him. Don't think it's any other fish in the tank doing it, nippiest things I have in there are congo tetras, but i've never seen them pay any attention to the butterflyfish, also I have another butterflyfish that has totally normal danglers.

Has anyone heard of this happening? What would be the recommended treatment?

 

[HerCrenVie]

I would do a large water change and add some aquarium salt right away, and then go to the local LFS to buy some meds for typical fungal infections, because that is what it sounds like to me. Hope this helps, and good luck.

 

[V1xIII]

I've got a quarantine tank I can move him to, so I won't have to salt my 75 gallon.

Would Jungle fungus clear tabs do the trick?, i've got some of those currently.

 

[HerCrenVie]

I've got a quarantine tank I can move him to, so I won't have to salt my 75 gallon.

Would Jungle fungus clear tabs do the trick?, i've got some of those currently.

A quarantine tank is great. I'm not sure what brands you have over there but try asking your LFS for Methylene Blue - a good med for fungus and ich.

 

[Lupin]

No need for meds. Water changes in itself should be pretty sufficient. I'd simply keep the fish isolated from those possible nippers you have.