Treating Fin Rot in the Planted Aquarium - HELP!

[I'mHooked]

First, let me give a background of my tank:

10 gallon
Heater with temp at a steady 79 degrees F
Hagen Aquaclear filter 20g
Dose daily with Seachem fertz
DIY co2 injection
Heavily planted

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrates: 10-15ppm

I happened to notice today that a few of my cardinal tetra were showing signs of fin rot (white on the edges, jagged in appearance). Does anyone have any suggestions regarding treatment? I have invertebrates in the tank, so please, if you recommend a product be sensitive to copper contents.

I did read the information under the sticky for freshwater diseases and treating fin rot. --- Just seeing if anyone else has a better suggestion.

 

[Sab_Fan]

a year ago I would have said "sounds like a job for Melafix", but I've kinda lost respect for that product

heard some good things about Jungle Fungus eliminator * . . . I've had good results with other Jungle products, so that's my $0.02


* uh-oh, "not recommended for use on crustaceans" . . . that might mean trouble for your inverts . . . maybe Melafix is the way to go . . . I still am 50/50 on whether it actually does anything, tho' . . .

 

[Lupin]

I will never recommend copper-based treatments much less dumping meds for finrot cases. I'd do daily water changes in your tank until the fins recover completely. This is the safest option and take note finrot is often caused by poor water quality more than anything.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

If these fish have been in your tank for a while and are just starting to get the fin rot then I agree with lupin. Because the cause of the disease is related to there tank in this situation.

Do a 30% water change daily for a week or 2 and it should clear up.


But if these are new fish and this is a stress induced case of fin rot then I would reccommend antibiotic baths.

 

[I'mHooked]

Thanks for the help everyone -

My tank is well established, and the water quality is very good. I did however, just introduce a new fish into the aquarium that must have brought the bacteria in. Plus, one of my cardinal tetras is a rebel and is constantly fin-nipping. So, in conjunction with the new fish and the fin nipping I'm guessing it's causing the fin rot.

Right now I'm feeding small amounts of Jungle Anti-Bacteria medicated fish food in conjunction with Maracyn (safe for inverts and i'm hoping with live plants). Plus, I'm going to up water changes. Hopefully with the two treatments my fish will be well on their way to recovery.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

Maracyn is a great antibiotic. And my personal favorite for treating fin/mouth rot.

But as with any ANTI BIOTIC maracyn is a specialized bacteria destroyer.

And it will not differentiate between the bacteria infection that is killing your fish and the bacteria that is making up the tanks bio filter.

So keep a close eye on the ammonia readings of the tank and expect to start over with a non cycled tank after the treatment.

Antibiotics are wonderful weapons against many illnesses. But the use of a hospital tank for treatment is allways needed.

 

[I'mHooked]

Maracyn is a great antibiotic. And my personal favorite for treating fin/mouth rot.

But as with any ANTI BIOTIC maracyn is a specialized bacteria destroyer.

And it will not differentiate between the bacteria infection that is killing your fish and the bacteria that is making up the tanks bio filter.

So keep a close eye on the ammonia readings of the tank and expect to start over with a non cycled tank after the treatment.

Antibiotics are wonderful weapons against many illnesses. But the use of a hospital tank for treatment is allways needed.

Thanks hybridtheoryd16! The packaging states that it does not have any harmful effects against beneficial bacteria - but I'm thinking otherwise. I'm going to keep a close eye on ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings and make sure to add some bacteria booster once I'm done with the treatment.