Fin Rot

[mytank]

Hi all,

My fav fish in the entire tank (my first fish bought by my GF as a present) developed some fin rot. My tank bread 90% black clown

At first I thought it was because he started growing up and hosting in the new torch I added. So thought maybe he was getting nailed by the torch. But it progressively got worse, first the bottom then the top fin(s).

I managed to catch him on Sunday (what a 25min mission) and reallocated him to a my little baby nano that I have had running. He wasn't to pleased yesterday and didn't want to eat, today he mashed anything that I put in the tank so he is back to his normal habits of eating (in the nano this time) once again

I have a few questions there for you guys:

1. The little nano (did a 80% water change before I added the little clown) has a sump with filter floss, some LR, some bio balls etc. - Is this ok? The reason I ask is that a lot of the medicine I have been reading about says turn OFF your filtration???

This leads into my second question:

2. If I turn OFF my filtration I have a baby flow pump in the nano and I am told to add some aeration i.e. s air pump. I heard that a air pump in the sump is but a air pump in the MAIN DT (in this case the Nano where the clown is now) is .

So the question: Can I turn the filtration to the SUMP - OFF add a air pump to the main DT of the nano and keep the flow pump going?


3. I have read about a lot of different medicine and not to keen on destroying my Nano etc in the Nano (it's the clown and a poor lonely hermit crab). I DON'T want to use a copper based treatment if I can actually help it. What are the treatments available for things like fin rot out there?

I would appreciate the help guys as I figure out how to treat the little bugger and get him back to action in the main tank.

Thank you all for the help.

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Two reasons to turn off filtration when medicating.

1) most medications destroy bacteria which will cause a strain on the DO levels.

2) mechanical filtration will remove the medication.

Oh and a third.

Chemical filtration like carbon and polymers will remove medications as well.

Best to just keep the temp and O2 levels stable and water changes daily.

 

[mytank]

Two reasons to turn off filtration when medicating.

1) most medications destroy bacteria which will cause a strain on the DO levels.

2) mechanical filtration will remove the medication.

Oh and a third.

Chemical filtration like carbon and polymers will remove medications as well.

Best to just keep the temp and O2 levels stable and water changes daily.

Thanks So please check my logic:

1. Turn off the sump connection so its only the Nano DT.

2. Add a air pump into the Nano DT (is that ok? not going to kill the fish or anything weird like pop eye?)

3. Temp keeps constant at 25 with room temperature (I don't have heaters on right now...)

4. Medicate every evening 50% water change.


The last question what do you recommend for Fin Rot (medicine) and is it curable?

 

[mytank]

Ok so been doing some research (in case someone needs this info in the future).

First here is an excellent brief but informative read

It talks about a few possible causes mainly
1. Bad water conditions
2. Being bullied by other fish.


Those that know my tank know the pain staking care I perform on this tank and the corals show for it. So it leads to my SECOND point.

I have noticed that the six line wrasse has got frisky with the clown, they basically go for each other most of the times. Interestingly enough this has only happened since the clown decided to host in the torch.

I also noticed for some reason the clown chooses to defend itself by going in the (Head in the Sand) routine. Where he sticks his head in the torch and then "vibrates" his tail. Which would explain why most of his damage is on his bottom anal fin.

He is now in a quarantine tank they suggest two fixes:

1. Medical - Melafix (anyone know where I can get this in SA) or anti biotics in their food (paste: @Nemos Janitor maybe you got some?)

2. Take him out the environment where this is happening and allow him to heal on its own.

I will go for point 1. Now it's to find the treatment.

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Fin rot or decay of the fins is normally what you say. However melafix is a herbal medication and has it reservations. I have used it many years ago with varying success. nothing to warrant a continued acquisition of the product. You could try the LFS in Hillfox as superpet used to bring in the product.

I would be inclined to treat the fins with Mercurochrome and then keep secondary bacterial infection at bay with a product like Myaxzin or Aquafuran or any good quality Furan product. They are not reef safe and will destroy filtration bacteria. Aquariums need to be properly oxygenated to allow for depletion caused by die off.

If however the fish is very strong and the rot is caused by injury. I would just treat with Mercurochrome and monitor.

Feed vitamins with the food.

 

[mytank]

Fin rot or decay of the fins is normally what you say. However melafix is a herbal medication and has it reservations. I have used it many years ago with varying success. nothing to warrant a continued acquisition of the product. You could try the LFS in Hillfox as superpet used to bring in the product.

I would be inclined to treat the fins with Mercurochrome and then keep secondary bacterial infection at bay with a product like Myaxzin or Aquafuran or any good quality Furan product. They are not reef safe and will destroy filtration bacteria. Aquariums need to be properly oxygenated to allow for depletion caused by die off.

If however the fish is very strong and the rot is caused by injury. I would just treat with Mercurochrome and monitor.

Feed vitamins with the food.

He seems strong eating like a champ swimming around sometimes I catch him chilling on the substrate but other times swimming around. So to treat with Mchrome u put that in the water or.take.the fish out and dab if all over his fins etc?

for oxygenating the water can I permently run a air stone from a air pump in the tank?

 

[Nemos Janitor]

He seems strong eating like a champ swimming around sometimes I catch him chilling on the substrate but other times swimming around. So to treat with Mchrome u put that in the water or.take.the fish out and dab if all over his fins etc?

for oxygenating the water can I permently run a air stone from a air pump in the tank?

I use an ear bud to apply the Mercurochrome to the fins.

Better than an air stone is a small pump breaking the surface of the water. But an air stone is cool. Remember to keep temp stable as well.

 

[mytank]

I use an ear bud to apply the Mercurochrome to the fins.

Better than an air stone is a small pump breaking the surface of the water. But an air stone is cool. Remember to keep temp stable as well.

Just so I dont do anything wrong I get some human Mchrome from the chemist tomorrow. Catch the little bugger put him on a towel dab some Mchrom on his fins, plonk him back into the tank and wait? how often do I treat the fins?

also if I go the Mchrome route do I need to turn off the sump?

I have two nano pumps I will aim them at the surface to break the surface. That ok?

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Just so I dont do anything wrong I get some human Mchrome from the chemist tomorrow. Catch the little bugger put him on a Paper towel dab some Mchrom on his fins, plonk him back into the tank and wait? how often do I treat the fins? Tick Once should be enough. If the fins continue to deteriate do it a second time. And then treat with Furan or Myxazin

also if I go the Mchrome route do I need to turn off the sump? If you do not add medication to the water, No you dont have to turn off the sump

I have two nano pumps I will aim them at the surface to break the surface. That ok? Ok

Bud, before you do anything. Any chance of a pic?

 

[mytank]

Bud, before you do anything. Any chance of a pic?

Will try today and post some.

 

[mytank]

Ok so here is a plathora of pictures. They are cell phone cam pics and the best I could get with the little bugger swimming around. Notice his top fin (which only started recently {still in the bigger DT}) the lower anal fin (which started first) you can't see that well but is just as if not MORE raw than the top fin. You can see the "redness" on his body.

Pictures to follow they busy uploading

 

[mytank]

Bud, before you do anything. Any chance of a pic?

 

[mytank]

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Yes it looks like damage due to biting. I would just do the mercurochrome thing. And let the fins heal.

 

[mytank]

Yes it looks like damage due to biting. I would just do the mercurochrome thing. And let the fins heal.

The anal area is really bad and red, no wonder the poor little bugger was hiding under his torch ...... the six line looked very aggressive and the dam chromis are acting funny too....

So just to confirm:

1. Buy MChrome from a chemist *the one we use for our sores
2. Take him out the tank - put him on a towel and dab some on his fins
3. Add him back to the tank
4. Air pump or multi flow pumps breaking the surface of the water.


Question -

How often do I dab him with Mchrome?

 

[Nemos Janitor]

Only once. If the fins get worse then do it a second time.

No need the switch the filter off. YOu are only adding the mercurochrome to stop secondary infection.

If it gets worse only then move him to another tank where Myxazin or Furan can be administered. But you must isolate him from the fish that are attacking him.

 

[mytank]

Only once. If the fins get worse then do it a second time.

No need the switch the filter off. YOu are only adding the mercurochrome to stop secondary infection.

If it gets worse only then move him to another tank where Myxazin or Furan can be administered. But you must isolate him from the fish that are attacking him.

He is already out the main DT and in the QT tank that's the little nano if you remember when you were here. He is isolated only him and a hermit in the Nano

So removed him from the environment where he was getting bullied. I will go get some Mchrome from the chemist today and administer.

I know it depends on fish to fish but any idea how long it takes +- just so I have an idea to watch him?

Thanks!

 

[Nemos Janitor]

The inflammation should start to clear up after 3 to 4 days. The wound will take a few weeks to heal.

When working with the fish use latex gloves. It will help prevent you giving the fish some other bacteria.

 

[mytank]

The inflammation should start to clear up after 3 to 4 days. The wound will take a few weeks to heal.

When working with the fish use latex gloves. It will help prevent you giving the fish some other bacteria.

Just an update. Noticed the little bugger fins starting to look a little better so going to hold of on the Mchrome is that ok @Nemo janitor?

 

[Tobes]

I have a friend who's clown got fin rot. They only noticed it once the anal fin was nearly completely gone.
I caught the fish and put him in a quarantine tank and treated him with Myxazin for 5 days. Then skipped 2 days and again for 5 days, dosing 1ml for every 15litres of water once a day.
He pulled through, wounds healed and the fin started to regenerate