disease or stress?

[setarris]

My 20 gal JUST finished cycling. YES! But I noticed 3 of my 5 Black Widow Tetra have a bit of fraying on the end of tail. I assume it's just wear and tear from the stress of cycling. Or should I be concerned that it's more?

 

[colesea]

Keep an eye on the fish to see if they're nipping each other, or if they are catching their fins on the sharp points of decor.

If they're just small tears, they should heal quickly. If the animals are sick, they won't heal quickly. Some long fined variety of tetras, like black skirts (widow), white skirts, or serpae have a natural "frayed" look to their finnage, especially the serpae.

If you are very worried, try using Melafix medication. It's an antibacterial that should help prevent infection of frayed fins. If they don't heal in three to four days, and it looks as if the fin is getting shorter, you may have to move up to a stronger medication because you may now have parasitic fin-rot in your tank, which could've been brought on by stress of cycling.

~~Colesea

 

[setarris]

Thanks for the informative response
Does not appear to be nipping or decor damadge. Its just 3 of 5 that have the bit of fray. I'll look into Melafix medication.
The comment on apprx. how long a tear should heal hepls.

 

[Matt Nace]

When my Ruby Barbs would get done fighting, their fins were pretty shredded. The fins no way healed in 3 to 4 days....BUT..they didn't get any worse.

So I would be more intrested in if the fins shred even further.

 

[setarris]

Just got back home from out of town. Fins look the same, maybe a little better. Speaking of antibacterial meds, I have a couple of questions that don't seem to be clear in different info.

1 Remove bio-wheel, but remove filter too?

2 How long before I can replace bio-wheel after treatment?

3 Can you use an antibacterial treatment for preventative, or would it be more damaging then applying at need?