Arowana Fin Ripping?? HELP

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Arowanablubber

Black Skirt Tetra
MFK Member
Sep 23, 2019
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I woke up this morning and noticed that my Aro’s fin is ripped along each section. He has no tank mates and yesterday he was completely fine and his tail was normal.
He is swimming and eating normally. I’ve attached pictures does anyone know what this is?? Should I be concerned??

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I would wait for others more medically inclined to give input, but it looks to be the start of fin rot, which is caused by several things but primarily due to water issues & stress -- do you have a test kit for measuring ammonia, nitrite & nitrate?
 
But the fin doesn’t look to be rotting, more similar to cut.I was thinking the arowana is actually growing. In Asia they cut in between the fins to make them grow back even bigger. Wondering if this is something that is commonly found in nature? I’ll do a water change and test the water
 
No, it's not a natural condition. Again, it looks like starting stages of fin rot.

And a few Arowana keepers in Asia might cut in between the fins but most I'm very sure most people don't; personally I couldn't imagine doing it; in any case that's not what's going on with your fish.
 
How do I fix it?

See your thread in Health sub-forum: some advise medicating with Melafix, some advise lots of water changes -- perhaps others will chime in with alternative treatments/advice.

Also you need to try and think if anything might be stressing out your fish (besides the fact that it's new to the tank). As per other thread, what are tank dimensions and size of your Aro? Any tank mates? The tank you put him in was already cycled, right?
 
I tested the water and the ammonia was a little high and the ph is high. I’m buying ph dropper tomorrow. Did a 30% water change will do more continually. I think maybe it was an ammonia spike, overfeeding. Just switched to live feed
 
I tested the water and the ammonia was a little high and the ph is high. I’m buying ph dropper tomorrow. Did a 30% water change will do more continually. I think maybe it was an ammonia spike, overfeeding. Just switched to live feed

Highly suggested not to go messing around with his PH at this time (if at all), not to mention with some chemical additive. Fluctuations in PH would be just about the worse thing you could do, best to keep it stable whether it's low, medium or high. But yes you should very concerned if you're getting any ammonia reading, so good you're doing water changes.

What you feed your fish is of course inevitably your choice but just be aware that live feed has its risks and dangers, plenty of info around about that, personally I don't do it, not worth the possible consequences.
 
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Very strange for the tail to get rip like this with out clue. Have you net the aro lately any object in the tank beside your powerhead?
 
Did your fish perhaps get spooked and trash around. It may have slapped its tail turning around if the tank is on the smaller side.

Just my 2c
 
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