Trimming Fins

[fishysmell]

A very few of you decided to try and help me on my post about my diseased white skirt tetra a few days ago and thank you. The problem is, I never got any definate info out of anybody and I'm posting it again. Bottom line, since I have no flippin' clue what that clear sphere thing is (its got a white strand in it coiled up horizointally, the sphere is about 6 mm across) on my tetra's fin, I think I'm just going to trim its fin. Before you get all outraged and report me to some important people hear me out. It's a long finned tetra and the sphere deal is right at the back, about 5 mm in. Plus, I don't know what it is and I am worried it will burst or spred throughout my tank. Anyway, does anyone have any experience at trimming fins and how and with what do I treat the fish afterwords. Please help, I don't want to butcher the little guy out of ignorance. To sum it up, I got a fish with a clear sphere thing on his fin and its freakin' me out so I'm gonna cut it off cause I can't get rid of it. If you have a better plan give me a shout but if ya don't, PLEASE try and help me with my method. I appreciate any help I can get.

 

[FroggyFox]

Its not hurting anything right now...why risk killing the fish?

 

[Fishman_2000]

I've never heard of trimming fins but since other fish nip them it may not hurt too bad. But before doing that I would go to this website here http://www.fish-disease.com/ . I have used it a few times and it may help your problem. It could be a parasite or just an abnormal growth on the fin. If you can quarrantine this fine in another tank that would be a good idea too. Hope this helps.

 

[Backdraft Bagel]

don't trime the tines, just the webbing. the fish can feel it.

 

[420Loach]

of course they can! id feel it if they cut the bumps off of my spine!

 

[Leopardess]

trimming the fins seems a little harsh as a first method of treatment. I would quarantine the fish and add some antibiotics/salt/parasite/fungus medication. That seems more reasonable...if it is a parasite - which it sounds like - the medicine should take care of it. If it is a fungus, the fungus medicine will take care of it etc etc. Use your judgement to determine what it looks like and use the appropriate medicine.



ps. get a picture if at all possible - that would be the best thing to do...

 

[fishysmell]

I'm working on the picture thing but my only friend w/ a digital camera hates aquariums so it may take some convincing. I plan on quarantining the fish as soon as my qt styromoam box (pathetic isn't it) is free of the shrimp I'm saving from the ich treatment in my other tank. I don't know why everything is hiting at once. Water quality is really good right now. I only planned on trimming if nothing else works and I'm growing closer to that point but I'll try your suggestions. Thanks a lot for the responses.

 

[fishysmell]

I went through and read every discription of every disease in the database at fishman 2k's link. None sound like what my fish has. The closest thing I found was nodular disease and that didn't really describe it. I will try anti-fungus stuff and continue with the rid ich+ until I get some but I really don't know where to go at this point. I'm going to try and get my friend's camera at whatever means necissary. It may take a few days though.

 

[Leopardess]

I'm not sure if I understand, but, if you can't quarantine him because you're box is "busy" run out and pick up one of those cheap little platics goldfish bowls....they will suffice for the time being. It would be aweful if it is something that can spread to your other fish. Do you have a scanner? If so, you can take a regular picture and scan it onto your computer....