Bitten off tail fin

[Kal93]

I came home today to find that my anthias had 1/2 of his tail fin bitten off. He is struggling to swim and hasn't eaten yet today. The aggressor has been removed, and I dosed Kanaplex for possible bacterial infections.

Is there anything else that I can do? How long will he take to heal?

Thank you!

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I came home today to find that my anthias had 1/2 of his tail fin bitten off. He is struggling to swim and hasn't eaten yet today. The aggressor has been removed, and I dosed Kanaplex for possible bacterial infections.

Is there anything else that I can do? How long will he take to heal?

Thank you!

I would put him into a low flow environment and I would also dose Furan 2 and Metro (trifecta) just so you have a broad spectrum treatment. A 90 min Ruby Reef Rally bath would help also as it has antiseptic properties. After that it’s only time.

 

[Kal93]

I would put him into a low flow environment and I would also dose Furan 2 and Metro (trifecta) just so you have a broad spectrum treatment. A 90 min Ruby Reef Rally bath would help also as it has antiseptic properties. After that it’s only time.

Thank you so much!

 

[ngoodermuth]

If it’s truly just nipped... it would likely heal fine on its own. But, if there could be a bacterial aspect (fin rot)... the wide-spectrum coverage suggested above is a good plan of action.

A picture might be helpful

 

[Kal93]

If it’s truly just nipped... it would likely heal fine on its own. But, if there could be a bacterial aspect (fin rot)... the wide-spectrum coverage suggested above is a good plan of action.

A picture might be helpful

Sadly, my fish passed away this morning . Looks like tail/fin rot--it progressed from no symptoms to death within 24 hours. I am QT and treating my other fish (they do not show symptoms yet).

My next concern is dealing with the bacteria, likely gram-negative, in my DT causing this. I doubt that a fallow period would help, but what about dosing antibiotics/probiotics? I would hate for my fish to be treated, return to the DT, and then develop this disease again.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[ngoodermuth]

I think humble had mentioned before (I’d have to go back and try to find the post) that most bacteria issues should be resolved by around 6 weeks fallow. I would just watch your current fish in QT, feed well (LRS foods contain probiotics), and keep the antibiotics at the ready. Since it was an anthias, prophylactic treatment with metroplex (2 scoops per 10 gallons) against uronema wouldn’t be a bad idea.

A 90-minute bath in route to QT in ruby reef rally (acriflavine) is a good precaution. I’d also give one of your fish a freshwater dip to check for flukes, since bacterial infections are often secondary to something else.