I have had this smallmouth bass for only 4 days and I new there was something strange about him. My wife figured it out. His left pectoral fin is messed up. His right pectoral fin is feathery and he uses it constantly. His left pectoral fin however is frayed and a little off color. He uses it sparingly. When he is floating, he is using his right good pectoral all the time and when he swims around he occasionally uses his left. Is he crippled? What exactly is the problem? Is he maybe injured and will eventually recover and use his left fin too?
My New Smallmouth... What is wrong with his pectoral fin?
- Thread starter bjbass
- Start date
Looks like a disease rather than from another fish. I'd quarantine him if you can. He was like this when you got him? I take it you didn't notice the fin until after he got into the tank.
with ItsadeepblueseaI believe it is on the dorsal fin too. First check the ammonia levels. See what you come up with.
You need to add aquarium salt to the tank according to the directions(For general tonic and stress reliever). Just keep an eye on the fish and try to avoid stressing the fish.
Most of the time it looks like the fins and skin are rotting off(turns very red or turns white). If this is the cause, you just have to wait. The damage isn't substantial, so the fish might make it.
You need to add aquarium salt to the tank according to the directions(For general tonic and stress reliever). Just keep an eye on the fish and try to avoid stressing the fish.
Most of the time it looks like the fins and skin are rotting off(turns very red or turns white). If this is the cause, you just have to wait. The damage isn't substantial, so the fish might make it.
Can I use Melafix instead of aquarium salt?
I am at the end of cycling my tank too, but my ammonia levels are 0. There may be a slight green tinge, but looks yellow.
Would the Melafix interrupt my cycle? Would the aquarium salt interrupt my cycle?
I am at the end of cycling my tank too, but my ammonia levels are 0. There may be a slight green tinge, but looks yellow.
Would the Melafix interrupt my cycle? Would the aquarium salt interrupt my cycle?
Melafix could help...but don't eat the fish later!
I would recommend some salt first though, it doesn't smell and it's probably all you need. I wouldn't be too worried at this point; I have seen much worse.
I would recommend some salt first though, it doesn't smell and it's probably all you need. I wouldn't be too worried at this point; I have seen much worse.