Is This Normal, Nipping, Or Fin Rot?

[big_fire]

I posted a few weeks ago about inheriting a 30gal tank from my brother. I misidentified the fish and now know that I have 3 giant danios, 5 long-fin serpae tetras, and the CAE.

I gather that ragged fins are normal on long-finned serpae, but I have one serpae that certainly has a problem as his fins are nearly gone and he stays near the bottom of the tank, swimming listlessly. The other tetra's fins are still long, though ragged with some whiteness at the end of the ventral fins. I've been watching the tank and I don't see any nipping going on, the danios keep to themselves.

What is the solution? Is it a disease? Do I need to treat just the one serpae or the whole tank?

 

[Yazan]

,Zebra danios' need to be in groups of 6, if not kept in that number they will become aggrissive to other fish and also become fin nippers.

If you try that and it doesn't seem to help/work, check your water permanants like ammoinia nitrite and nitrates and can you post them here also. If ammoinia is high thats whats causing the fish to sit on the gravel and the fins are looking as if they are nipped because due to ammonia the water quality will become poor and poor water quality leads to fin rot.

 

[big_fire]

,Zebra danios' need to be in groups of 6, if not kept in that number they will become aggrissive to other fish and also become fin nippers.

Are "giant" danios a subspecies of zebra danios? They don't seem to be picking on the tetras, but maybe during the night?

I checked the water.

Nitrite- below 0.2 mg/l
Nitrate- 10 mg/l
Ammonia- .1 mg/l
ph 7.8

water temp 25ºc / 75ºf

I took some pics of the tetras if that would help. Would it be okay to insert some moderate-sized pics in a forum post?

 

[Yazan]

I took some pics of the tetras if that would help. Would it be okay to insert some moderate-sized pics in a forum post

Sure that would be great.

Nitrite- below 0.2 mg/l
Nitrate- 10 mg/l
Ammonia- .1 mg/l
ph 7.8

Check that your filter is working the way it should be, if its clogged post back. Do a 15% water change and post back the results. Also how long has the tank been setup for?

Are "giant" danios a subspecies of zebra danios?

From there names it sound like it. Post some pics of the 'danios'.
'

 

[big_fire]

These are how the other 4 serpae look. You can see the ragged fins.

This is my poor little guy.

Yesterday I sent the danios and CAE away, did a water change and added a bunch of plastic plants. Its just the serpae tetras in the tank now. The little fish perked up, at least he doesn't hide anymore. He lost more of his tail fin. I guess that might have happened during the trauma of my messing around the tank? It does seem like danios or CAE were to blame as he now feels safe to swim in the open water. Will the fins grow back?

 

[criesofthepast_xx]

There fins are being nipped ALOT I have been having the same problem with my fish tank right now i have about 6 fish that have died and i haven't found the nipper yet. I suggest you get melafix and move the serpae into a serprate tank until there fins grow back they will keep getting biten until they are all gone which happened to my guppy's and molly's.

 

[Yazan]

These are how the other 4 serpae look. You can see the ragged fins

That looks bad. Get him in a Q tank as soon as possible, and as above said, get 'milifex'.

-YN

 

[big_fire]

These are how the other 4 serpae look. You can see the ragged fins

That looks bad. Get him in a Q tank as soon as possible, and as above said, get 'milifex'.

-YN

I gave away the other fish, so it is just the serpae tetras in the tank now. Do I still need to Q him or can I treat him in the main tank?

 

[amagphoto]

Definitely could be your danios, I had the same probelm in my tank...had 6 "glofish" danios in a 55 planted tank and after a week they got real aggressive towards my other community fish...had to take them all out and put them in a 10 gallon all together. They're doing great but definitely like being "alone" in a tank with their own kind. Never thought they'd be aggressive, because LFS advertised them as community and peaceful..not in my experience.

 

[Yazan]

I gave away the other fish, so it is just the serpae tetras in the tank now. Do I still need to Q him or can I treat him in the main tank?

Well if you don't have a Q tank don't bother getting it now. Treat him in the main tank for now. If you get the Q tank you will need to cycle it and everything.

...had to take them all out and put them in a 10 gallon

Your 2 gallons overstocked.

 

[big_fire]

I got the medicine and am now on the 4th day of treatment. Since the serpaes now have the tank to themselves they have started exhibiting new behaviors, they chase each other across the tank. At least I hope its just chasing, and not nipping. I noticed a new bit taken from the tetra with the worst condition. He's also about 1cm shorter than the other 4 serpaes, even accounting for the nipped tail. Is he getting picked on? He started hiding again. Is this a lost cause?

 

[Yazan]

Did you do a water change?

 

[big_fire]

Did you do a water change?

Yes, last Saturday.

 

[Yazan]

Well all you can to is treat and hope.YN