My Tail Finless Pl*co

[werebot]

I have noticed over the weekend that my Pl*co, 'Zippy' has no tail fin. His other fins look fine thoo.
This is very recent and I'm really not sure why it has happened.
All my tenants have been together for a minimum of four months.
His tail fin is mostly gone with white areas along where the missing fin should be.
The water is in very good condition and clear.
Could this be a disease or am I maybe under-feeding the other fish?
I am a little stumped. Anything would be helpful.
Thanks.

 

[Lotus]

It sounds like it could be fin rot Although perhaps other fish are nipping at him, and the white areas are where it is healing. Look carefully at his tail. If it is fin rot it will seem like the tail is melting away, and it will be getting shorter.

 

[werebot]

What would cause fin rot? If that is the case and how you can it be treated?
When you say melting away, what do you mean.
Gagged to smooth appearance?

 

[Lotus]

There is a pic of a betta with fin rot here: http://www.bettatalk.com/betta_diseases.htm That's the best pic I have found of it, along with a description, and info on treating it. There are a number of medications for fin rot available. If you think it's the other fish, then you will have to separate them.

 

[werebot]

It isn't gagged like that. It almost looks like it was cut off or something. I wonder if maybe it was torn off while swimming or something.
What do you think?
I follows the curve of his tail as oppose to random rotting or munching.
hmmm........ I'll have to check that out.

 

[werebot]

None of his other fins show any kind of damage.
Would fin rot affect all his fins?

 

[Lotus]

As far as I know, fin rot could affect just his tail. But it does sound like you think it was damaged by fish or by him on something. Is there anything sharp in your tank that could have done it? How big is he in comparison to your other fish? If anyone, I would suspect the gouramis. Maybe keep a close eye on them.

Fin rot is usually caused by poor tank conditions. What is your cleaning schedule? I assume it's regular and good

 

[werebot]

The tank as a whole is in great shape. The water is clear and all my tests check out just fine.
He is the largest fish currently, however the sharks are catching up.
I haven't noticed any sharp elements, but i'll give it a more thorough look.

 

[werebot]

After coming home and checking Zippy little more closely, I notice he is darker than normal as well.
Still baffled by this.
It also appears that he is eating less than normal. He hasn't touched his wafer.

 

[Igor The Cat]

i say sharks

-Java

 

[werebot]

I just watched one of my smaller Opaline Gouramis nip at his tail.
That bums me out. I'll have to try and return the Gourami to the lfs.
Zippy has senority y'know.
Thanks for all your help.

 

[catfishmike]

does your leco at least have enough tail to still resemble a tail?

 

[werebot]

Yesir.

 

[catfishmike]

then add some melafix and see if you can't realocate the offending fish atacking your pleco.rub some garlic on his next wafer to help entice him to eat.try to do a few water changes over the next few days as well.that should help to invigorate the plecos immune system and help him regrow his fin.

 

[werebot]

Thank you Mike.
I did a small change last night and I do abit more 2nite.
I will also pick up Melafix at lunch 2day. Do you think I need to quarantine the pleco to treat him?
The garlic idea is great.
I will keep everyone in the loop.
Thanks again

 

[bumblebee]

I have an opaline gourami that is really nasty too! He attacks anything that swims in the mid to upper part of the tank. And he was in a 90 gallon tank! I thought they were supposed to be great community fish? I have seen nothing but nippyness from both my gourami's (the other is a dwarf).

 

[catfishmike]

nah no need to quarantine.just add the melafix straight to the tank.as long as the offending fish has been removed the pleco shold be ok.just make sure that none of the other fish are picking on your plec due to his injury.fish tend to spot weaknesses and harass a fish to death because of the weakness.

 

[werebot]

Good deal.
I picked some Melafix up last night.
Dropped the offender in my spare tank, a 1 gallon beta tank for now. I think I have already found a home for him and prob one of the others. I'll keep a pair of Opailines.
My plecos color has already improved and he is more active. He was a very dark brown, almost black and very lathargic(?).
I am pleased. Thanks Catfish.
I heard that opalines could be aggro, but my first one hadn't been, so I figured they all wouldn't be. I don't think I'll make that assuption again.
I'll treat the tank through the beginning of next week and see what happens.
Thank you for all your help.

 

[werebot]

Hey All,
Last weekend I returned the 2 offending gouramis to my lfs and picked up a betta for the one gallon tank.
Everybody is happy, happy.
My pl*co is definately looking better. His tail is isn't completely regrown, but it is coming along nicely.
The betta kinda looks tie dyed. Striking colors. Yay!
Thank you all.

 

[Lotus]

Good to hear he is recovering and everyone is happy