fin rot or bullying?

[Adam Lion]

Okay, having moved flats, got a bit bigger tank, and the fish having sttled
in fine (I have a small goldfish and a paradise fish that's slightly smaller
but looks longer because of it's tail).

They both seemed happy enough yesterday morning when they were fed, went to
feed them today and the goldfish's fins and tail have big chunks missing.
there's no other symptoms, either flaking or anything, just looks like bit
have been ripped off. i don't know if this is due to fin rot setting in (the
paradise fish seems fine) r if the paradise fish has been bullying him. the
para has made the small castle in the tank his home, and got quite defensive
over it when he first moved in, but theyve both been fine for almost 2
months now.

being in the UK i dont know what brands of emdicine i could try, althoguh i
am trying to scrape togetehr enough cash to buy a 2nd tank and seperate them
(i dont get paid for 2 weeks, so cash is really tight).

anyone have any suggestions?

what size is minimum for a paradise fish, they both have plenty of room atm,
but im not sure i can afford another large tank, or even find space for one,
and i figure the para needs less space than the goldy (he doesnt seem to eat
as much or produce as much waste)

hope someone can help

sincerely
adam lion

[Adam Lion]

having googled about a bit i can see no 'necrotic tissue' or anything that
looks like it...theres no discolouring or swelling...just big bits of fin
and tail missing.


"Adam Lion" <adamatadrockdotathdotcx> wrote in message
...
> Okay, having moved flats, got a bit bigger tank, and the fish having
> sttled in fine (I have a small goldfish and a paradise fish that's
> slightly smaller but looks longer because of it's tail).
>
> They both seemed happy enough yesterday morning when they were fed, went
> to feed them today and the goldfish's fins and tail have big chunks
> missing. there's no other symptoms, either flaking or anything, just looks
> like bit have been ripped off. i don't know if this is due to fin rot
> setting in (the paradise fish seems fine) r if the paradise fish has been
> bullying him. the para has made the small castle in the tank his home, and
> got quite defensive over it when he first moved in, but theyve both been
> fine for almost 2 months now.
>
> being in the UK i dont know what brands of emdicine i could try, althoguh
> i am trying to scrape togetehr enough cash to buy a 2nd tank and seperate
> them (i dont get paid for 2 weeks, so cash is really tight).
>
> anyone have any suggestions?
>
> what size is minimum for a paradise fish, they both have plenty of room
> atm, but im not sure i can afford another large tank, or even find space
> for one, and i figure the para needs less space than the goldy (he doesnt
> seem to eat as much or produce as much waste)
>
> hope someone can help
>
> sincerely
> adam lion
>

[Elaine T]

Adam Lion wrote:
> Okay, having moved flats, got a bit bigger tank, and the fish having sttled
> in fine (I have a small goldfish and a paradise fish that's slightly smaller
> but looks longer because of it's tail).
>
> They both seemed happy enough yesterday morning when they were fed, went to
> feed them today and the goldfish's fins and tail have big chunks missing.
> there's no other symptoms, either flaking or anything, just looks like bit
> have been ripped off. i don't know if this is due to fin rot setting in (the
> paradise fish seems fine) r if the paradise fish has been bullying him. the
> para has made the small castle in the tank his home, and got quite defensive
> over it when he first moved in, but theyve both been fine for almost 2
> months now.
>
> being in the UK i dont know what brands of emdicine i could try, althoguh i
> am trying to scrape togetehr enough cash to buy a 2nd tank and seperate them
> (i dont get paid for 2 weeks, so cash is really tight).
>
> anyone have any suggestions?
>
> what size is minimum for a paradise fish, they both have plenty of room atm,
> but im not sure i can afford another large tank, or even find space for one,
> and i figure the para needs less space than the goldy (he doesnt seem to eat
> as much or produce as much waste)
>
> hope someone can help
>
> sincerely
> adam lion
>
>
You don't mention testing your water. First, see if there is any
ammonia or nitrite that could cause the fin problems. If not, the
paradise fish could be bullying the goldie. Paradise fish can be rather
aggressive. Don't add ANY medicine to your tank - not even the
ubiquitous Melafix or Stress Coat. Very clean water is the best
possible cure for damaged fins. Keep your water changes up and consider
changing more water more frequently.

Only consider medicine if there is a whitish edge to the damaged fin and
the damage keeps getting worse. Fin rays may also stick out of a
rotting fin. Then you need an antibiotic like kanamycin or Maracyn 2.
I don't know what is available in the UK.

I consider 5 gallons a good tank size for a solo paradise fish. You
could also purchase or make a tank divider rather than going to two
tanks. http://www.petfish.net/tank_dividers.htm shows how.

--
Elaine T __
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