Tetra From Lfs: Fin And Tail Problems

[alexge]

Hi,
 
New member here, just registered to ask for this issue.
I'm quite new to the hobby, this is my second tank, which I've cycled for a month, monitored TDS, Ph, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrates, and then added plants. I then transfered 4 cardinal and 1 diamond neon tetra from another tank I had to the new one (that was last week). Today I went and bought from my LFS, 6 diamond neon tetras and another 2 cardinals.
 
Stupid me, I didn't select or observe them carefully before buying. When I got home (15 minutes after leaving the LFS) I acclimatised them using the drop method for over 45 minutes. After putting them in my tank I noticed that 3 of the diamond neons have nipped tails (theres a bit missing from their tail, its whiteish and ragged). One has its fin partially ragged and whiteish.
 
I am guessing that my LFS has been stressing them, or is this something more serious? I've ordered: Myxazin (waterlife), API Pimafix and Melafix.
 
My tank is 140 liters ( less than 15 liters of substrate) co2 infused, with params:
TDS: 290 ppm ( 250 tap + 40 ppm ferts )
Ph: 6.5
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
 
I've been monitoring the params constantly for 4 weeks prior to adding any fish or plants, and I had been adding fish food during the fishless cycle, and the ADA Amazonia substrate appears to also release Ammonia and Nitrites.
Also, I added mulm from my old tank, in order to help the new filter.
 
Am I right to assume that this is due to stress at the LFS, and that by providing them a safe and good environment their fins should get back to normal? Should I go ahead with the Melafix/Pimafix regime, or add Myxazin just to be on the safe side?
 
Many thanks to anyone who can help.

 

[guppiegirlie]

I had this exact problem this weekend with some false julii, once I'd got them home I noticed one had a bit of a nipped dorsal fin, unfortunately he didn't make it, poor guy.

It could be a number of things, as you've said a bit of nipping in the shop, tetras are known nippers, stress from being shipped about or fin rot.

I haven't had any issues with any other fish I got, touch wood, but I've treat my tank with some esha2000 just to be on the safe side.

I think melafix would be good but I'm not 100% as I've never used either of the products you indicated, but would personally treat with something. Rather be safe than sorry!

Hope that helps

And welcome to the forum!

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

If it is just a due to fin nipping and is not severe, I'm on the other side of the fence. Fins recover from nipping just fine. Observe them carefully until they are full acclimated to the tank. If the fins do not show any signs of getting worse, do not treat. As soon as you see further degradation, start treatment.

 

[guppiegirlie]

I actually agree with rob here, I had miss read your original post and thought you had lost a fish.

Just keep an eye on them as rob says if it is just a bit of nipping it should heal nicely on its own

I apologise for jumping the gun!

*note to self, read posts properly in future!!

 

[alexge]

Hi all,
 
Thanks for the advise. I'll monitor them for the next few days (until the meds arrive anyways) and if their tails and fins get worse, I'll begin administration.
Problem is I don't know if its simply fin nipping or something else, I just got them this way.
 
Your help is very much appreciated!

 

[Mark Z.]

I would also make sure to add Stress Coat!
 
Good luck!

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

IMHO, Stress Coat is a good product, but it's way over-rated. I've been using it for treating water changes for years. I've got a feeling that it is not as good as it used to be and it's use as a general tonic on sick or injured fish has minimal to no real effect.

 

[alexge]

Well, almost a week is over since I started treatment with Pimafix, and there are no visible signs of detirioration or improvement.
Pimafix is supposed to treat fungal infections, and tbh, I thought there was an infection on the missing bits of fins and tails.
I will do the weekly water change, and then try a week of melafix which is supposed to treat bacterial infections (it actually says on the tin "Repairs damaged fins").
 
Once next week is over, and if there are still no signs of improvement, I will have to resort to Myxazin, although I'd rather not throw antibiotics in the tank.
 
Admitedly when I first moved them into the tank they were very stressed, most had very dull colours, whereas now they look more vibrant and relaxed (the tanins might have helped).
If this was stress-induced or due to fin/tail nipping, I would except the symptoms to have gotten better after 2 weeks in the tank, else is it safe to assume it is something else?

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

If there is no deterioration, I wouldn't treat. You should eventually see improvement. It may get lost with you watching for deterioration. Improvement may be slow to start but a lack of it does not indicate a problem.

 

[NickAu]

I have a Rasbora that lost half its tail, It grew back in about 6 weeks, But for the first week or so I did not notice any growth.
 
Im with the others on this observe the fish if its not getting any worse do not add medication. 
 

 
, API Pimafix and Melafix

IMO don't trust anything with " FIX ' in its name.  Indian Almond leaf would be a better option IMO.

 

[alexge]

Well I've started Melafix for now, but I've  ordered some indian almond leafs last week, so I will continue the treatment just to be on the safe side.
BTW, I think that both products (or one of them) uses Indian almond leaf as the base ingredient.
 
I will stay away from Myxazin for now.
 
Thanks for the advice

 

[NickAu]

Please don't get me wrong here I am not against medication, I see medication as a last resort.

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

Well I've started Melafix for now, but I've  ordered some indian almond leafs last week, so I will continue the treatment just to be on the safe side.
BTW, I think that both products (or one of them) uses Indian almond leaf as the base ingredient.
 
I will stay away from Myxazin for now.
 
Thanks for the advice

 
You certainly didn't get the advice to continue treating or use Melafix, here.

 

[alexge]

No Fish Crazy, I was referring to the usage of Indian Almond leaves.
Melafix/Pimafix claim they are all natural and use extract from Kappa leaves and Indian almond leaves.
 
One of the tetras is getting better much better, his/her tail and fin is almost completely healed.
The other one's tail is almost healed, with only a rugged bit left. He is being bullied however from other tetras.
 
The one which had his lower tail bit missing appears to have not healed at all.
He is social, haven't seen him bullied, but I can't tell if there is an infection, or fungus on the tail.
 
I don't know if Pimafix (run the treatment last week) or Melafix (running currently) helped, or if it was stress induced or simply nipped by other fish.
Providing lots of room to escape and hidding spots may have helped too.
 
As soon as the indian almond leaves get here, I'll add one and stop the Melafix.

 

[RobRocksFishTank]

That sounds better.