Pink Con with"clamped" fins.

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pcfriedrich

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Apr 2, 2008
1,600
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North Central Florida
First, I know this should be in the diseases forum, but I get no responses there (doesn't seem to be a very popular section). I'm hoping to get some help here.

Does anyone know of a parasite or any other condition that causes a fish to clamp its tail fin, and hold all other fins close to its body? Dorsal and anal fins are held against body, and pectoral fins point down, rather than out. I've been treating for parasites with Jungle Brand "Tankbuddies" for parasites. The box lists this fin condition as a symptom of a parasite infection.

Its not getting worse, or spreading to any other fish, but the treatment isn't working (and I did remove carbon from the filter). I've also kept the appropriate amount of salt in the tank. I've been treating for about three weeks now. The fish seems otherwise healthy.

any ideas?
 
it's often an indication of either parasites or simply poor water condition (which leads to other diseases).

my advice to you is, don't use medication to treat your fish unless you KNOW what you're treating. in your case, stop feeding your fish. add the appropriate amount of salt in your water (1 tablespoon per 5 gallson). replace your carbon. do a daily 25-50% water change for a week. remember to replace the salt after the water change.

stop feeding is very critical, because that'll drastically reduce organic waste and the many complications that comes with it. many people don't realize that many many bad conditions of your fish or aquarium can be successfully treated with the fasting and daily change of water. salt kills and prevents parasites while the condition returns to normal.
 
thanks. I'm gonna try that. If it is a parasite, its gotta be gone by now (3 weeks). She was in my 55, and I moved her to my 20 gallon hospital/growout. she's been like that for quite a while.

none of my other fish are displaying any symptoms.

could it just be old age? she's a pink con, 10 years old, if not older.
 
I've had her in that 20 gal at 86*, plenty of salt for over 4 weeks. I then treated for parasites. she's been like this for well over a month now. if it were water quality, it seems that there would be symptoms in more fish. I do 25% water changes (with substrate vacuum) twice a week and use the appropriate amount of Amquel+ (nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chlorine, and chloramine remover) with every water change. Sucks, because I've had her forever. I want her to be healthy, but nothing seems to work.

Cons really live 20 years?
 
Dude told me that my 10 year old pink con was only at half her expected age. I'm thinking she's at the twilight.

maybe it is just age, and I should stop stressing her out with a bunch of remedies.
 
just looked it up. average lifespan for a convict is 10 years. she always used to be paired up with a male. I noticed her fin situation develop about the same time the males started rejecting her.

she's just getting old. I'm just gonna let her live out the rest of her life in that 20 gallon growout/quarantine.

I'm still gonna do the fasting and daily waterchange. can't hurt.
 
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