Clownfish Fin

Tidalwave · Sep 30, 2017

Hello helpful friends!

My DT is finally past the fallow period from my first undiagnosed infestation (has been fallow for > 80 days), and now I'm trying to be extremely safe and not take any chances.

With that in mind, around 5 weeks ago I received a pair clownfish that immediately underwent TTM/Prazipro treatment, followed by an observation period. Upon arrival, the larger clownfish had a torn top fin, but I just attributed that to possible nipping from the other clownfish. Now 5 weeks later, the fin is still torn in the same way. It doesn't necessarily look to be due to an infection or fin rot, but I would have thought that by now the fin would have healed. Neither have shown any behavioral changes during the QT period.

What do you guys think? Is this due to an infection, fin nipping, or just a uniqueness to this particular fish's fin? What actions should I take before deeming them safe for the DT?

First two pictures were taken around 3 weeks ago.

Last two were taken yesterday.

Humblefish · Sep 30, 2017

Have you seen them continuously nip at one another? Are they close in size? I would think by now it should have healed.

Tidalwave · Sep 30, 2017

Thank you for your reply!
I've never seen them nip at one another. The clownfish with the clipped fin is much larger than the other clown fish, whose fins are intact.
I completely agree, at 5 weeks, I don't understand why the fin has not made any improvements.

Crabs McJones · Sep 30, 2017

Tidalwave said:
Thank you for your reply!
I've never seen them nip at one another. The clownfish with the clipped fin is much larger than the other clown fish, whose fins are intact.
I completely agree, at 5 weeks, I don't understand why the fin has not made any improvements.

If after 5 weeks it hasn't healed, it may be just a flaw in the fin if you're not noticing any sort of fighting or nipping.

Tidalwave · Sep 30, 2017

That is what I am kind of thinking as well. I just didn't want to overlook a possible disease and infect the DT.

Is there anything more I should do to ensure that there is nothing else in play?

Humblefish · Sep 30, 2017

Tidalwave said:
That is what I am kind of thinking as well. I just didn't want to overlook a possible disease and infect the DT.
Is there anything more I should do to ensure that there is nothing else in play?

TTM should have cleared ich (if it was present) and Prazipro takes care of flukes. Velvet/brook/uronema would have shown visible physical symptoms by now, and the fish's feces would be white & stringy if one of them had intestinal worms.

So, all your left with is the possibility of a bacterial infection - and it would be a gram positive one (mild) if she had it. Personally, I would add them to the DT and just food soak vitamins to help heal the fin (assuming it's even damaged).