Angel fighting or fin rot?

[Saraicy]

Guys, need help to identify if this is cause of fighting or legit fin rot.
I was told by local lfs that if its fin rot, red swelling will be noticed but so far i dint.
These 3 angels are in a 40gal tank with a 4inch bichir. Angels are 2.5inch only
Water parameters are good. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 40ppm nitrate. Ph at ard 6

 

[Saraicy]

 

[Caveden]

Fin nipping

 

[Saraicy]

Fin nipping

So its really nipping. Damn it just look at the black marble angel’s dorsal fin… its really deep

 

[kno4te]

Looks like fin rot to me. Keep nitrates below 20ppm. Can add a round of triple sulfa.

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Could it be both? I (admittedly this was when I was much younger and knew much less, but still) had multiple red tail sharks together at one point, the 'weakling' of which got its fins beaten up by the dominant and then developed fin rot.
What I would suggest is (as already recommended by kno4te) to start with keeping the water clean and dosing with the appropriate treatments for fin rot. Once you have that under control, I'd take a look at the stocking and (keeping tank size in mind, of course) remove potential fin-nipping tankmates, add more angelfish to disperse nipping aggression, or both.

 

[FJB]

I think it is both.
But one thing is certain. When there is nipping, there is open wounds that can easily get infected secondarily. One needs to offer excellent water conditions, or infections may occur. They also heal fast.

 

[Saraicy]

Thanks guys…looks like i need to monitor for awhile and at the mean time get some fin rot medication. The current medicine i’m holding is general aids and that solution will turn the whole tank blue in color(which i dont want)
I have trouble finding out the culprit that did this as well. Sometimes i stay up late at night with lights off but still nothing much.
Dont think i can add more angels in the tank as i think its kind of max capacity for my tank. 40gal with 3 angels and 1 bichir. Adding more means- tank upgrade soon.

 

[Rocksor]

Thanks guys…looks like i need to monitor for awhile and at the mean time get some fin rot medication. The current medicine i’m holding is general aids and that solution will turn the whole tank blue in color(which i dont want)
I have trouble finding out the culprit that did this as well. Sometimes i stay up late at night with lights off but still nothing much.
Dont think i can add more angels in the tank as i think its kind of max capacity for my tank. 40gal with 3 angels and 1 bichir. Adding more means- tank upgrade soon.

Make a divider for your 40g and separate one fish at a time until you find the culprit. Waiting in front of the tank won't do you much good.

 

[xenacanth9]

+1
There have been a few occasions where I have dealt with both simultaneously. I agree with the advice above.