Fish Q&A Section: Fin Disorders
Q:
One or several of my fish have redness at the base of their fins.
A: This is a case of Bacterial
Hemorrhagic Septicemia. As this disease progresses, the fish
will start to lose scales, the body will have red streaks and sores
will develop if not treated.
Treatment: Treat the fish with
Oxytetracycline Powder in the feed for ten days if
possible.
Q:
The fish's fins appear to be slowly eaten away and edged in
white.
A: This is a classic case of Fin and
Tail Rot. It is caused by a Pseudomonas Bacteria (A condition
called: Pseudomoniasis).
Treatment: There are quite a
few things you can use to treat this condition.
TMP-Sulfa -or-
Sulfa 4 TMP -or-
Neomycin Sulfate -or-
Tetracycline -or-
Nitrofurazone.
Q:
My fish have an off-white looking substance growing on the fins.
A: This is a gram-negative bacterial
infection called Columnaris Disease. Some people often mistake
this disease as a fungus.
Treatment: Sulfa drugs work
well for this.
TMP-Sulfa -or-
Sulfa 4 TMP -or
Triple Sulfa
Powder.
Q:
The fins on my fish are all fuzzy and cotton-like. The fins
are eaten away.
A: This sounds like a Saprolegnia
Fungus.
Treatment: Treat the fish with
Forma-Green for 5-7 days.
Q:
The fins on my fish are frayed and ragged. Some fins are
split. Some fish breathe heavily and some die quickly.
A: This sounds like an Ammonia problem
in the water. Use an ammonia test kit and check for Nitrites
also. If you have any readings of Ammonia or Nitrites, do a
partial water change immediately. Increase the oxygen level if
possible.
Treatment: Use
Aqua Gold to establish the proper level of nitrifying bacteria
needed to cycle the water.
Q: The
fish's fins look good and clear, but they have splits in them
A: The fish may have a nutritional
deficiency. Check to make sure the diet requirements are met
for the species of fish. Are there aggressive species of fish
in the tank. The fish may have been involved in a territorial
dispute (cichlids).
Treatment: If the fish was
involved in a fight, treat the fish in an isolation tank with
Nitrofuracin Green.
Q:
The fish have black spots in their fins and tails.
A: This is an encapsulated worm larvae
(Metacercariae).
Treatment: Although the fish
can live to a ripe old age with this condition,
Praziquantel -or-
De-Los
may be used to treat the fish.
Q:
The fish have small white spots all over their fins.
A: Sounds like the fish has Ich.
Ich is usually caused by a drop in temperature. Is this a new
fish that was transferred to the tank in a plastic bag? Is
your tank in a drafty hallway? Check to see if the heater is
functioning properly.
Treatment: Treat the fish with
Malachite Green -or-
Forma-Green -or-
Copper Sulfate. If the fish is a scaless fish, treat the
fish with Methylene Blue -or- Acriflavine Neutral.
Q:
The fish have a cauliflower-like growth on, or at the base of the
fins.
A: This is Lymphocystis Virus and
cannot be cured. No suitable treatment known.
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