Thin red lines and frayed tail fin

[Bennlfer]

My gar has a frayed tail fin and now thin red lines are appearing and running all the way to the end. There is no fighting in my tank, except at feeding time sometimes they snap at each other in order to get the food first. He is in with 5 bichirs and a rope fish and a fire eel.

Could this be fin rot or something? Could the fin nipping be causing the red lines? Thanks for your help.

P.S. - Parameters are ammonia .25 and nitrite .25... I need to amp up my filtration i think.

 

[Spatula]

Do you own a camera?

 

[Bennlfer]

Yeah but no batteries or light... Ill try to get some pics tomorrow.

 

[E_americanus]

your Ammonia and nitrite should be zero...that is a problem in and of itself. i would recommend doing a big water change and upping the filtration to deal with that problem. how big is the tank? ammonia toxicity can cause frayed fins and eventually lead to infections, so this could contribute.

at the same time, if the fins are really frayed it's likely a bichir nipping at the gar. gars will often show some blood vessels in the fins, so that's not a big deal...but the fraying and your ammonia and nitrite levels (especially if they are connected) are a big deal. temporarily lower your feeding, bump up water changes, and increase filtration. your Ammo and nitrite should be zero...then you'll know you're back on track--
--solomon

 

[Bennlfer]

Yeah my water quality has been low lately. I owe it to one water change a week of 40% and only 2 HOB filters to clean my tank, a combined rating of 130 gallon (My tank is 135). I plan on adding a canister filter and upping my water changes to twice a week or every other day. Im not going to blame my bichirs for this one, i think this is my fault

Thanks for your help Solomon

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

while it might be ur bichir u gotta get the ammonia under control. even if u keep them in lower ph(reduces the toxicity of ammonia, causes more ammonium instead) ur getting alot of nitrite as well. both of these can def cause issues quick especially with an injured gar(which i am betting its the bichir)

 

[gt1009]

If you only have the two HOB filters, I would consider a canister AND upgrading one of the HOB filters to either an aquaclear 110 or an emperor 400. For that tank, shoot for a turnover rate of at least 1300 GPH

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

not nessecarily. i only have a FX5 on my 125gallon. so i have way less than a 10x turn over

 

[Bennlfer]

I have an emperor 400 and a penguin 200. Definitely going to add on a canister in the future.

 

[nishant_datta]

water changes are the best interim solution for you. upgrading filteration is also essential. if possible, separate the gar and give it pristine water quality. good luck.