Ripped fins.

[leafs]

I've noticed my Tetras fins become ripped and frayed. I have a 10 gal with 2 - Lemon Tetras and 3 Red Minor Tetras. I've been changing the water every few days. My ammonia is 0 but I haven't checked the nitrites or nitrates. I started using Melafix for about 5 days, but I don't notice the fins getting any better. Will their fins grow back over time? Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Fawke]

Their fins will grow back over time providing the conditions are good and are not continuosly being nipped.....
I would seriously recommend getting a nitRITE and nitRATE test kit as this will give you a better idea on whether the conditions are good or not....

Keep up the water changes until you find out your parameters....
I know alot of tetra species are quite sensitive to high Nitrates, and any fish is sensitive to high Nitrites.....

Good luck and keep us updated

EDIT - how old is the tank - is it well established?

 

[leafs]

Their fins will grow back over time providing the conditions are good and are not continuosly being nipped.....
I would seriously recommend getting a nitRITE and nitRATE test kit as this will give you a better idea on whether the conditions are good or not....

Keep up the water changes until you find out your parameters....
I know alot of tetra species are quite sensitive to high Nitrates, and any fish is sensitive to high Nitrites.....

Good luck and keep us updated

EDIT - how old is the tank - is it well established?

Thanks. I'll have the nitrites and nitrate test done. The tank is about 1 month old. Maybe it's not fully cycled yet. Do you think water changes every couple of days will be o.k.? I thought that they may be frayed from nipping, but they all seem to have the same problem so I don't think that's it. Do the nitrites have to be 0, or was it the nitrates? I'm always getting them confused. Thanks again.

 

[Fawke]

If you are not fully cycled then i would try and do a water change daily - around 15-20% minimum....
You really do not want those NitRITES building up for any length of time......
Make sure the replacement water has conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines etc and is roughly the same temp and composition as the tank water.

Ammonia and NitRITES should be zero, and NitRATES (the end product of the cycle) should be below 50ppm at the very maximum.
For sensitive fish, like some tetra species, i would be looking at acheiving below 20ppm.

That will come in time, but concentrate on getting those NitRITES to zero, if they are not.
After a month your tank may well still be cycling, which i should imagine is the reason for the tatty/ripped fins......

Keep us updated.....

 

[leafs]

If you are not fully cycled then i would try and do a water change daily - around 15-20% minimum....
You really do not want those NitRITES building up for any length of time......
Make sure the replacement water has conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramines etc and is roughly the same temp and composition as the tank water.

Ammonia and NitRITES should be zero, and NitRATES (the end product of the cycle) should be below 50ppm at the very maximum.
For sensitive fish, like some tetra species, i would be looking at acheiving below 20ppm.

That will come in time, but concentrate on getting those NitRITES to zero, if they are not.
After a month your tank may well still be cycling, which i should imagine is the reason for the tatty/ripped fins......

Keep us updated.....

Sounds like a plan. Thanks.