Severely injured Rafael kitty

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bigsea

bigsea

Exodon
MFK Member
Jan 5, 2017
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I've only had these cats for a few weeks from a very clean lfs. There is no aggression amongst the three cats I have and they are almost invisible with the lights on. One of my Rafael cats fin has been completely shredded to the bone. And at the "shoulder" there's an almost fuzzy growth. My water is pristine and the fish is behaving normally and eating like crazy. Should I be worried??

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Fin rot would do that. You want an antibiotic that treats gram negative bacteria. Also use some aquarium salt. Remove your carbon before treatment.
 
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That could be.

My first inclination though, given you just got them, is that the raphs fought it out for best hides. The fuzziness is a benign fungus that's eating away necrotic tissue. IME, if a fish is otherwise healthy, strong, and stress-free, the fungus is not a danger, it will not spread over healthy, living tissue, just clean up what's dead.

Could the fin gotten caught up in a powerhead impeller or a crack in wood, furniture, etc.?

If the fish has a good appetite, I'd reserve to close (as possible) observation for now.
 
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thebiggerthebetter said:
That could be.

My first inclination though, given you just got them, is that the raphs fought it out for best hides. The fuzziness is a benign fungus that's eating away necrotic tissue. IME, if a fish is otherwise healthy, strong, and stress-free, the fungus is not a danger, it will not spread over healthy, living tissue, just clean up what's dead.

Could the fin gotten caught up in a powerhead impeller or a crack in wood, furniture, etc.?

If the fish has a good appetite, I'd reserve to close (as possible) observation for now.
Click to expand...


now that u say it man yea to do remember slight scuffling but they've sorted it out now. as for a equipment injury I highly doubt it. I do have a powerhead that I use as an aerator but I have a waterbottle and filter floss over the intake. good to know tho. thank you for your response. greatly appreciated. I hope it heals up. I doubt the fin will grow back but in a weird way I kind of like the way it looks. makes him look scary >:)
 
haha, scary raphael kitty :)

For all we know, it may surprise you. If a fin is removed to the bone, it may not grow back fully and properly shaped but even then something will grow back. I guess it's a "character" you value in your fish :)

If at least something is left of the fin, it stands a chance to grow back fine over time.
 
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