Hi everyone! I'm new here and so glad to have found you. I have a 12 year old comet Goldie who's tail recently began to roll/curve over at the top causing his fin to tear a bit. I have been watching the tear closely for about a month and just noticed yesterday that it is a little white around the edges of the tear. I'm not sure if it's the start of fin rot, or if he is adapting to his new curvy tail. I've added aquarium salt to the tank and am doing water changes every other day to keep him as clean as possible. He is all alone in a 55 gal. I guess I'm not sure if his fin will patch entirely back up in that spot because of the curve- how do I know if it's his new normal or rot? And If it is fin rot, what should I do? I really don't want to medicate him because he is eating and zipping around the tank like a happy go lucky guy. Any experience and advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Fin Rot? Or Not?
- Thread starter Fishy's Mom
- Start date
Welcome to MFK ☺ Well you are all ready on top of things. How often were you doing water changes before this and when did you last check the water parameters?
Water changes every 8 days- his levels this morning are:
Ammonia 0
PH 8
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Also- I won him at a fair and we've been inseparable I can't snap a good picture of his tail because he won't sit still- I'll keep trying
Ammonia 0
PH 8
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Also- I won him at a fair and we've been inseparable I can't snap a good picture of his tail because he won't sit still- I'll keep trying
Admitedly not his most photogenic moment- but I think you can see the split in question- thanks again!
Can use a qtip and apply some hydrogen peroxide to the area. There is also methylene blue as a swab with a qtip will also do well.
Looks like ur tank isn't cycled. Could be poor water issues causing some of the problems.
Looks like ur tank isn't cycled. Could be poor water issues causing some of the problems.
I agree, having zero across the board seems a bit odd unless you just did a huge water change. His eyes look a wee bit cloudy too. Could just be from stress, sometimes my cichlids get that after a battle and go back to normal within a few hours. I know when mine get fin tears (from said battling) the fin first turns kind of translucent as it heals and then gets back to normal. Maybe he just bumped into something? That salt should be helping. You could also try the peroxide (worked for me on a cory that got nipped really bad) or treat with an anti-fungal.
I would keep doing the water changes, but you should also check your test kit if it's expired or some of the strips got wet, and your tap water, the tap could have some hidden ammonia or nitrates. Are you using test strips or the drops? Drops are more accurate.
Also congrats on keeping him for so long and rescuing his butt from the fair and putting him in a proper tank instead of a bowl haha. Other than the whole fin/eye thing he seems healthy. My uncle had a similar one in a 55 as well way back in the day.
I would keep doing the water changes, but you should also check your test kit if it's expired or some of the strips got wet, and your tap water, the tap could have some hidden ammonia or nitrates. Are you using test strips or the drops? Drops are more accurate.
Also congrats on keeping him for so long and rescuing his butt from the fair and putting him in a proper tank instead of a bowl haha. Other than the whole fin/eye thing he seems healthy. My uncle had a similar one in a 55 as well way back in the day.
Using the drops to check levels- I have been doing 25% water changes almost daily since I noticed the tear wasn't zipping back up a few weeks ago to try to keep his water clean and the tear from getting infected- maybe it's too much?Also- his eyes have always been a little cloudy from when he was little - his right eye is clearer than his left-not really sure what that's all about. I do think the salt is helping- it looks less white around the edges and I think I see some new growth. Do you think it will eventually fully close considering the kink at the top?
How often do you do the peroxide swab? I'm going to stay on top of the water...I tested it again today- ammonia 0, ph 8, nitrate 0 and nitrate 5...? Very peculiar. Thank you again!
Would suggest a new kit or borrow someone water test kit to make sure it's accurate.
Twice a day for 5 days and watch. Should start to clear up quickly hopefully.