Molly - Fins Cut....

[ratfink]

Hi, I have noticed today that the dorsal fin on my molly has 3 clean cuts in it down to the base, almost as if done by a stanley knife or similar sharp object, there is also 1 cut on the base tail, the fish is swimming normally, feeding as usual and is showing no signs of distress...
up to now everything has been fine, and it seems to of happened over night... any ideas?

I am doing regular weekly partial water changes and all nirite, amonia levels etc are spot on.

 

[WILDER]

Split fins can heal in good water quality.
Just make sure the fins don't look.
Cloudy or transparant.
No white or red eding to fins.
No holes in fins.
No red streaking in fins.
Fins don't clump together.
Fins don't have any excess slime.

 

[ratfink]

Thanks for the reply, any ideas what may of caused it? My experience with fin rot is that it normally shows around the edges first. Just seems bizarre that the fin has split in three places - so cleanly....

 

[WILDER]

Split fins are common in livebearers.
If the gaps are not to wide apart they should heal on there own.

 

[ratfink]

Ah ok, thanks. They are pretty wide, it look's like he's got a mohican!

 

[WILDER]

Keep an eye on him and signs of finrot.

 

[ratfink]

Unbelieveable, all cuts are starting to knit together, almost back to new! I may name him Hero due to the super powers

 

[Anna Robinson]

Split fins are usually caused by physical trauma, generally aggression from other fish. As you've noticed, they heal very quickly, unlike ragged fins from fin rot, which are more serious.

 

[WILDER]

That's good news then.