Please Advise

pH: 7.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0.25
kH: not tested
gH: not tested
tank temp: 28c

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Hanging just under surface of water, but not gasping. He fed well on krill yesterday and his fin was fine yesterday. Today his fin is badly shredded with blood markings at the base, hopefully you can see that on the photo. He seems to lack muscular control of the bottom half of his body. He is alert. Is it fin-rot, septicemia or damage from other fish? I introduced red claw crab this weekend. None of my other fish are affected.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: once every 4-6 weeks 25 - 50%

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: No chemicals. Use seachem prime when changing water.


Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 3 Red Claw Crabs

Exposure to chemicals: No



Any advise would be greatly received!

vcmtik

vcmtik said:

pH: 7.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0.25
kH: not tested
gH: not tested
tank temp: 28c

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Hanging just under surface of water, but not gasping. He fed well on krill yesterday and his fin was fine yesterday. Today his fin is badly shredded with blood markings at the base, hopefully you can see that on the photo. He seems to lack muscular control of the bottom half of his body. He is alert. Is it fin-rot, septicemia or damage from other fish? I introduced red claw crab this weekend. None of my other fish are affected.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: once every 4-6 weeks 25 - 50%

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: No chemicals. Use seachem prime when changing water.


Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 3 Red Claw Crabs

Exposure to chemicals: No

View attachment 62363

Any advise would be greatly received!

vcmtik

Click to expand...

Is it possible that the red claw crab is "having a go" at the birchir?
I Know that your Birchir is likely to be nocturnal, but when he does rest it will be on base of the tank - where the RCC can get to it, I have kept polypterus congicus myself & know they are quite tough, but if it is hanging around the upper levels - it may be to get out of the way of red crab claws (I wouldn't be too keen about being nipped at while I was asleep) try isolating the crab for a few days to see if there is any improvement with the Birchir. Those RCC's do seem to have quite powerful claws, that may explain the shredded fins & semi paraylised body.


Check this out..http/aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Polypterids.htm

Bazza57 said:

vcmtik said:

pH: 7.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0.25
kH: not tested
gH: not tested
tank temp: 28c

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Hanging just under surface of water, but not gasping. He fed well on krill yesterday and his fin was fine yesterday. Today his fin is badly shredded with blood markings at the base, hopefully you can see that on the photo. He seems to lack muscular control of the bottom half of his body. He is alert. Is it fin-rot, septicemia or damage from other fish? I introduced red claw crab this weekend. None of my other fish are affected.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: once every 4-6 weeks 25 - 50%

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: No chemicals. Use seachem prime when changing water.


Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 3 Red Claw Crabs

Exposure to chemicals: No

View attachment 62363

Any advise would be greatly received!

vcmtik

Click to expand...

Is it possible that the red claw crab is "having a go" at the birchir?
I Know that your Birchir is likely to be nocturnal, but when he does rest it will be on base of the tank - where the RCC can get to it, I have kept polypterus congicus myself & know they are quite tough, but if it is hanging around the upper levels - it may be to get out of the way of red crab claws (I wouldn't be too keen about being nipped at while I was asleep) try isolating the crab for a few days to see if there is any improvement with the Birchir. Those RCC's do seem to have quite powerful claws, that may explain the shredded fins & semi paraylised body.


Check this out..http/aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,%20Polypterids.htm

Click to expand...

Hi Bazza

I'm unsure if it is the RCCs, as they spend most of their time on the top of my internal filters or hiding in the crevices. The Bichir doesn't seem to be intimidated by their presence. I will keep an eye on them, it is true they have powerful claws!