Cardinalfish with ripped fin help

[helwrj28]

I will upload some pictures later, but this morning I noticed my Banggai Cardinalfish missing part of its tail (almost the whole prong of a fork)... And has been eating and acting fine, no changes prior to episode and has been in tank for about 3-4 months. Established system over a year old FOWLR.

I'm thinking it must have got bit, or maybe stuck in a powerhead.. tank mates are mated clown pair, azure damselfish, and goby/shrimp pair.

I'm not as much concerned with what happened, because it doesn't look too bad, I just want to know if, given enough time, the tail should heal.. any vitamins or treatments that would be recommended?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I will upload some pictures later, but this morning I noticed my Banggai Cardinalfish missing part of its tail (almost the whole prong of a fork)... And has been eating and acting fine, no changes prior to episode and has been in tank for about 3-4 months. Established system over a year old FOWLR.

I'm thinking it must have got bit, or maybe stuck in a powerhead.. tank mates are mated clown pair, azure damselfish, and goby/shrimp pair.

I'm not as much concerned with what happened, because it doesn't look too bad, I just want to know if, given enough time, the tail should heal.. any vitamins or treatments that would be recommended?

Without pics, hard to confirm cause but sounds like an aggression issue and suspect without knowing occupants would be clownfish or wrasse

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Most simple fin damage (not multiple shredded fins) will heal with no treatment. However, the fish that did this may strike again, so watch for additional fin damage.
Jay

 

[helwrj28]

Without pics, hard to confirm cause but sounds like an aggression issue and suspect without knowing occupants would be clownfish or wrasse

Thank you, yeah I have noticed some aggression with the female clown before, that's what I'm guessing. I will upload pics when I'm home thanks.

 

[helwrj28]

Most simple fin damage (not multiple shredded fins) will heal with no treatment. However, the fish that did this may strike again, so watch for additional fin damage.
Jay

Thanks for your input! And even though part of the forked tail is gone it should regrow without difficulties?

 

[Sharkbait19]

Unless the whole fin is chewed down to the body, fish fins have amazing regenerative abilities. Should be like nothing happened in less than 2 weeks. Just keep an eye on the aggressor and make sure it doesn’t get worse.

 

[helwrj28]

Unless the whole fin is chewed down to the body, fish fins have amazing regenerative abilities. Should be like nothing happened in less than 2 weeks. Just keep an eye on the aggressor and make sure it doesn’t get worse.

Amazing! I have had smaller nips but was nervous as this is close to the fork in the tail and was concerned..

Any recommendations to decrease aggression? I feed about 1/8 cube of frozen and 2 small pinches of pellets every day.. do I need to feed more?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for your input! And even though part of the forked tail is gone it should regrow without difficulties?

If it is just the soft part of the fin, yes it will grow back. If the damage extends down to the hypural plate, it probably won’t. If you post a picture, I might be able to give you a better opinion.
Jay

 

[Sharkbait19]

Amazing! I have had smaller nips but was nervous as this is close to the fork in the tail and was concerned..

Any recommendations to decrease aggression? I feed about 1/8 cube of frozen and 2 small pinches of pellets every day.. do I need to feed more?

Food always helps, but it won’t do much to decrease the natural aggression of some fish. What size tank? Are there enough hiding spots?
Clowns are not friendly fish, and the smaller the tank, the worse it gets.

 

[helwrj28]

Here's a few pictures

 

[vetteguy53081]

Here's a few pictures

Cant see much if anything as images are deep blue. Always best under white l;ightig for pics and video

 

[helwrj28]

This is about as white as I can get... Notice the tailfin, top portion of fork. Also looks like part of dorsal fin is missing too..

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This is about as white as I can get... Notice the tailfin, top portion of fork. Also looks like part of dorsal fin is missing too..

The damage doesn't extend to the tail bone, so barring any additional damage or infection, that should heal, but it will take 6+ weeks.

Jay

 

[helwrj28]

The damage doesn't extend to the tail bone, so barring any additional damage or infection, that should heal, but it will take 6+ weeks.

Jay

Thank you for the assistance! Any prophylactic vitamins or medication you would recommend.. tank has some inverts but no coral and unfortunately I don't have a tank I can transfer the fish to. So far the Cardinalfish is eating and acting exactly the same before the injury!

 

[Sharkbait19]

Unless it gets infected I wouldn’t be worried - just keep clean water and feed it well.