Loach Problem (fins)

Hi everyone,

I'm new to these forums, as you can clearly see.

Unfortunately I came with a problem. I bought a hi-fin loach about a month and a half ago. I have a 75 gallon tank, it's a non-agressive community tank. Everything was completely fine until last week. I noticed the loach's fin split. I decided to treat it with Melafix, I was concerned with fin rot mostly because of the white. The fin grew back in fine but now the loach has even more splits!

It's a tropical tank, I make weekly water changes. I feed a variety of diets. The loach always stays in the front and I never see him get caught on any plants. He isn't acting any differently but I'd like to save him as best as I can. He's actually a tank favourite.

I realize they grow BIG, however it takes many years for that. I bought him in a tropical tank as I know theyre mostly cold water. Like I said, he was completely fine until just recently.

Any help would be appreciated!

- Chris

Are you new to fish keeping? It's ok that you are as we all were sometime ago. I think your fish's culprit is either fin rot, fungus. However before using any meds like malachite green or formalin, it would help the people reading your topic alot to help you by giving us your tank water stats like: Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, PH. If you don't have the test kit, it is essential to buy one as in fish keeping it is asic to have one. Also, is this tank new? How long has it been set up? Did the fish come like this?

TheRedDiscus said:

Are you new to fish keeping? It's ok that you are as we all were sometime ago. I think your fish's culprit is either fin rot, fungus. However before using any meds like malachite green or formalin, it would help the people reading your topic alot to help you by giving us your tank water stats like: Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite, PH. If you don't have the test kit, it is essential to buy one as in fish keeping it is asic to have one. Also, is this tank new? How long has it been set up? Did the fish come like this?

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I'm not new to keeping fish, however I don't spend much time on details such as ammonias and nitrates. I realize they're essential however I've never had a problem in 6 years. My PH is always 7.0 or above. I do 20% weekly water changes.

I've been running this tank for about 6 months. My barbs are actually breeding right now. Wish I could give more details, sorry!

But as you stated, It's most likely fin rot. I'm going to look around for a big enough tank to put him in so I can treat him further.

Split fins can heal on there own in good water quality.
If the fins are white on the edges it sounds like finrot.
Any cloudiness to the fins or slime build up on the fins.