Festivum quick question....

[Stevenm1]

Cool guys thank you! Just an opinion, would you keep him or swap him out? The fins are one of the main attractions for this fish but at the same time I can’t decide. Thanks again

 

[Stevenm1]

Yeah, I think I’m going to keep him and give him a shot. Weird to say but would kind of feel bad bringing him back for a birth defect that wouldn’t really effect him at all.

 

[ryansmith83]

It won’t affect its health but I definitely wouldn’t spawn it.

 

[Serpentine]

Yeah, I think I’m going to keep him and give him a shot. Weird to say but would kind of feel bad bringing him back for a birth defect that wouldn’t really effect him at all.

Good on you. The imperfect "factory second" fish need homes too. So many people are quick to get rid of a fish with a blemish or missing piece, when as long as the fish is healthy and not being used for breeding it's totally fine. I have a soft spot for the rejects.

You could call him Stumpy or something to that effect.

 

[Stevenm1]

Yeah no plans on breeding, just a good fish to round out my tank. Thanks

 

[duanes]

"If"... it was bitten off, and bitten off at the hard spine (bone) it is not usually able to grow back, of... bitten off on the soft rays of the fin, it is possible to grow back.
I have had many fish where the spine of the fin is broken or bitten off, and it is impossible to grow back
Note the split in the caudal of this Paratilapia, it never closed and I had it for years.

As others have said, it can be mostly cosmetic, and unless the fish has trouble with balance, it shouldn't matter to its general quality of life.
If a defect, it should have been culled, but these defects are often not noticed in a crowd of fry or juvies, just as you didn't see it until you got it home.

 

[Stevenm1]

Ok thank you that’s good to know.