Can anyone help me figure this out?

[bigmamafish]

My Chinese Hi-Fin, just two inches long, has suddenly shown up with the outer edge of his dorsal fin all ragged, and one of his pectoral fins has a round, pin-dot type hole in the outer edge.

I know I don't have any fin-nippers in the tank, because if that were the case, some of my other fish would also have torn and ragged fins. The fins of ALL my other fish are completely intact, and that means every fin on every body.

ONLY the Chinese Hi-Fin is showing fin damage, and this has occured within only the last few days.

My tank parameters are: Ammonia, 0, nitrite 0, nitrates 10, pH 7.5 and holding consistently there for months on end, my kH is 4 and my gH is 89.5, according the my API freshwater hardness chart.

There is no sign of damage or disease to any of my other fish, and no blemishes on the body of the Hi-Fin. Just fin damage.

Since he alone is affected, I have isolated him into a bucket of tank water with an airstone, and have begun treating him with half-dosages of Melafix and Pimafix. Today is the second half-dose of each.

He still swims around actively, although when he was in my tank, he seemed to enjoy riding the current from the 4-inch airstone, and he would turn onto his side and circle around repeatedly on his side in the current, much the way a vulture rides thermal air currents. When he got out of the current from the airstone, he would swim normally, upright. So, I don't think it's a swim bladder problem.

Moreover, he continues to sucker normally, having no problems with his mouth or with eating.

Can anyone clue me in on what could be happening, here?

Thanks.

-- bigmamafish

 

[Aquanero]

Mine go through stages where the fins get raggy looking and then seem to grow back together for a while, all the longer finned ones like my longfinned bushy nose does the same thing. I don't even pay attention to it any more. If everything else seems normal I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[bigmamafish]

What about the single round pin-dot hole on the edge of his pectoral fin? It looks like somebody took a mini hole punch and punched that hole into his fin, it is so perfectly round. It did split the edge of the fin, but the inner part of the hole is round just like a pin head.

So, I needn't be treating him with anything, then?

I'm just concerned that he may have a bacterial infection of some sort, and I'm hesitant to put him back into the tank until I know he can't spread any illness to any of my other fish.

He really doesn't seem to be sick, but can I really be sure?

-- bigmamafish

 

[Aquanero]

I've seem them come and go too. Really your fish is fine I don't think you have anything to worry about. It is good you ask though if you think there is an issue better safe than sorry.

 

[bigmamafish]

Okay, then. I guess I can put him back into the tank.

I'll just continue to watch him carefully. If I see any kind of abnormal behavior or blemishes appear on his body, he'll be isolated and treated, again.

Thanks --

-- bigmamafish

 

[bigmamafish]

Here's an update:

While his body remained free of blemishes and he continued to swim around and continued to ride the current from the airstone, his fins continued to deteriorate.

None of my other fish are showing any signs of disease or distress. Whatever this is, it seems to be exclusive of the Chinese Hi-Fin.

Just now, I found him with all of his coloring faded out to a light gray, and he is on the substrate, leaning against a cave ornament. What's left of his fins are just tattered ribbons, and his gills only move occasionally. He is obviously dying.

I plan to remove him from the tank as soon as I can learn of a humane way to euthanize him.

There was something definitely wrong with this fish! He would spend more and more time resting on the substrate, in sheltered areas.

I still doubt his problem is caused by fin-nippers, because none of the other tank residents have ragged or torn fins. A fin-nipper usually nips a variety of fins, not just those of a single fish.

Anyone have any clues as to NON-contagious diseases to which Chinese Hi-Fins are particularly susceptible?

My water quality is the best it can be with pure well water being used n the tank, and ammonia readings of 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates 10. The pH is 7.5, kH 4 and gH 89.5.

These latter readings are all mid-range, and okay for most community fish.

Any ideas on what plagued this little guy? He is only 2" long. All the bands and color are gone from his body, now.

What is the most humane way to euthanize him, using common household products and no special chemcials I would have to go out and buy? I would want it to be quick and painless for this little fishy.

-- bigmamafish

 

[Aquanero]

I feel really bad that i said it was probly OK, sorry. Pictures are always beter than discriptions. What temp was the tank set at?

 

[bigmamafish]

It's a coldwater tank, and I know that Chinese Hi-Fins are coldwater fish. The temperature remains fairly stable at between 65F and 68F. Usually, it's somewhere in between, but rarely falls below 65 or rises above 68.

I just now noticed the sticky about euthanasia. Don't need it. The fish is gone, and out of the tank. I'll still read it, in case I need that knowledge in the future. Hopefully, I won't.

It just seems such a mystery that only this fish got sick, and in water of such good quality. I do weekly water changes of 50% and vacuum the substrate regularly. I also keep my filter clean. I even tested my well water directly from the tap, and it has 0 ammonia and 0 nitrates. Because it's well water, it has no chlorine or chloramine, so I don't need to use a dechlorinator. Too many unnecessary chemicals added to tank water can cause problems, as well.

The little fishy will be resting in my flower garden, helping to fertilize the soil.

No hard feelings -- you were advising me from your experience.

-- bigmamafish