Fin Rot on Sailfin?

Chase-B · Sep 16, 2020

Hello! This is my first post, as I usually lurk about here, but I think my sailfin might have fin rot.

He has been doing wonderfully for 3 months, and none of his eating/swimming habits have changed at all. I just noticed this small bit of discoloration on his bottom sail when he fully extended. Any thoughts on if he has it or not? If he does, I want to be able to treat it swiftly before it gets bad like so many posts I’ve seen. I just want to make sure he is safe. Thank you so much in advance!

T

Marlon C · Sep 16, 2020

doesn't look like rot maybe it hit a coral or rock?

Jay Hemdal · Sep 16, 2020

Chase-B said:
Hello! This is my first post, as I usually lurk about here, but I think my sailfin might have fin rot. He has been doing wonderfully for 3 months, and none of his eating/swimming habits have changed at all. I just noticed this small bit of discoloration on his bottom sail when he fully extended. Any thoughts on if he has it or not? If he does, I want to be able to treat it swiftly before it gets bad like so many posts I’ve seen. I just want to make sure he is safe. Thank you so much in advance!

T

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

While this bears watching, it sure just looks like a nip from another fish to me. Do you have any other fish in with it? If you have a canary blenny or a wrasse, I would say that is definitely it, the teeth marks sure look like they would match up!

Of course, you probably keep this fish by itself, and then I'll be proven completely wrong (grin). Seriously, it does not look infected as Marlon said. Sailfins can regrow the soft portions of their fins very fast. Some people hypothesize that their large fins actually serve as a target, directing aggression away from their body (same as the pennant does on a moorish idol).

Jay

Chase-B · Sep 16, 2020

Hello! Thank you guys so much for the quick responses. I do have two clownfish in the tank, but other than that I just have a lot of coral (mostly lps). I could see the larger clownfish maybe nipping at the sailfin if he came close to the bubble coral that he hosts during the day, so maybe that was it.

I am relieved to hear that it is probably not fin rot, but I will keep an eye on it just in case. Thanks again!!