Is this fin rot?

[SparkysBois]

Hi, Above is one of my platys (I got them about 3-4 months ago). The other day I noticed he had a split in his top fin (the big one in the middle) and now the edges of the fin are like fraying/splitting. I looked it up and I think it could be fin rot but I'm not sure? I'm new to fish so I'm not very good at identifying diseases. Sorry about the bad quality photo, it was the best I could get. Water parameters are all fine - ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5ish

 

[Rocky998]

View attachment 143074

Hi, Above is one of my platys (I got them about 3-4 months ago). The other day I noticed he had a split in his top fin (the big one in the middle) and now the edges of the fin are like fraying/splitting. I looked it up and I think it could be fin rot but I'm not sure? I'm new to fish so I'm not very good at identifying diseases. Sorry about the bad quality photo, it was the best I could get. Water parameters are all fine - ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5ish

Do you have any other fish in the tank?

 

[Rocky998]

View attachment 143074

Hi, Above is one of my platys (I got them about 3-4 months ago). The other day I noticed he had a split in his top fin (the big one in the middle) and now the edges of the fin are like fraying/splitting. I looked it up and I think it could be fin rot but I'm not sure? I'm new to fish so I'm not very good at identifying diseases. Sorry about the bad quality photo, it was the best I could get. Water parameters are all fine - ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5ish

It does not look like fin rot but it could be. Usaully fin rot creates a more jagged look instead of a pizza slice.

 

[SparkysBois]

Do you have any other fish in the tank?

Yes, I have some guppies and other platys

 

[Rocky998]

Yes, I have some guppies and other platys

Have you noticed ANY form of aggression from any of your fish?

 

[SparkysBois]

Yes, the platys chase each other around, but this one is usually the one doing the bullying

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I suspect that it's damage due to over-exuberance. However, now the damage has been done, it could easily turn into fin rot. Some aquarium salt in your water should help prevent this.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

Please describe your tank in some detail and let us know what you have in there, including numbers.

 

[Rocky998]

Yes, the platys chase each other around, but this one is usually the one doing the bullying

Well, one of the other ones may have just had enough of it ... But I agree completely with bruce that it could turn into fin rot quickly. I would use API melafix, it helps with fin regrowth and also helps with any bacteria on the wound.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

I'd be cautious with Melafix...there are lots of horror stories on the 'Net and the reactions of fish seem to vary.
Aquarium salt, on the other hand...

 

[Rocky998]

I'd be cautious with Melafix...there are lots of horror stories on the 'Net and the reactions of fish seem to vary.
Aquarium salt, on the other hand...

Whichever is best. Ive heard salt is great as well.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Old fashioned fool here but I have no medications or any kind....I use Mother nature's best medicine...fresh, clean water with zero additives.

Fish with injuries or signs of a potential health issue, I reach for my water change gear and I water change every day until the issue has cleared up

My dad taught me decades ago that despite the fancy adverts and shelves full of medications etc, the best way to treat fish injuries like torn/bitten fins, scrapes etc is a 75% or more dose of clean fresh water every single day....and that method has not let me down.

I'm afraid that it is a pet hate of mine the way some people dive straight for the chemicals and bypass the water. And anything with "fix" in the name is an absolute nightmare. The times I have come across people with labrynth fish who have used "fix" medications/tonics and lost their fish as a result.

I will never ever understand how a shop employee with zero vet training can diagnose a fish issue, without seeing the fish, and effectively prescribe/recommend harmful chemical treatments.

Sorry but this is something I am passionately against, the use of medications when no confirmed diagnoses or illness or disease is present. Fresh clean water every day is 100% natural and clean water can heal alot of things and should always be the first port of call, only go for the medications/tonics on a vet's advice or as a last resort.

 

[Rocky998]

Old fashioned fool here but I have no medications or any kind....I use Mother nature's best medicine...fresh, clean water with zero additives.

Fish with injuries or signs of a potential health issue, I reach for my water change gear and I water change every day until the issue has cleared up

My dad taught me decades ago that despite the fancy adverts and shelves full of medications etc, the best way to treat fish injuries like torn/bitten fins, scrapes etc is a 75% or more dose of clean fresh water every single day....and that method has not let me down.

I'm afraid that it is a pet hate of mine the way some people dive straight for the chemicals and bypass the water. And anything with "fix" in the name is an absolute nightmare. The times I have come across people with labrynth fish who have used "fix" medications/tonics and lost their fish as a result.

I will never ever understand how a shop employee with zero vet training can diagnose a fish issue, without seeing the fish, and effectively prescribe/recommend harmful chemical treatments.

Sorry but this is something I am passionately against, the use of medications when no confirmed diagnoses or illness or disease is present. Fresh clean water every day is 100% natural and clean water can heal alot of things and should always be the first port of call, only go for the medications/tonics on a vet's advice or as a last resort.

Then I would go with natural remedies. It seems to be the best option here... Although if his fish happen to get ich, would medicines be a better option?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

... Although if his fish happen to get ich, would medicines be a better option?

Heat and fresh water.

 

[Deleted member 149562]

Then I would go with natural remedies. It seems to be the best option here... Although if his fish happen to get ich, would medicines be a better option?

I have never experienced any of my fish having Ich but friends of mine have done. They always swear by using UV filtration....usually a 3w GKM turned on 24 hours a day for a week, then 12 hours a day for a fortnight. They have all had excellent results with that method. Would it work for everyone...who knows...but it certainly doesn't cause harmful side effects having UV treated water flowing through the aquarium.