Is this fin rot on my mandarin

Phoerut · Oct 11, 2022

Front two fins look a bit tatty I need a second opinion before I panic

Phoerut · Oct 11, 2022

Phoerut · Oct 11, 2022

Here’s some more pics

Mr. Mojo Rising · Oct 11, 2022

the fin? Don't you see the whole fish is miscolored? The sunken belly?
#fishmedic

slythy · Oct 11, 2022

Id second it looks like its starving. Its also very hard to see the front fins since the glass isnt clean. Every image looks fuzzy on the fins.

How long have you had it? what size tank and how long has it been up?

Crustaceon · Oct 11, 2022

Their pectoral fins sometimes get a little chewed up from the substrate. As long as it's eating, I wouldn't worry.

MnFish1 · Oct 11, 2022

I do not see a problem with the fins. The color is off - though that might be a lighting/time of day issue - if you have not seen any change in its coloration - I would ignore that. HOWEVR - the fish is extremely thin - and my guess is not eating well - or ? at all. Did you happen to QT it, treat for possible internal parasites, etc? Cute fish BTW

MnFish1 · Oct 11, 2022

BTW - the coloration - is a known variation of this fish - and is not a problem.

MnFish1 · Oct 11, 2022

LordofCinder said:
the fin? Don't you see the whole fish is miscolored? The sunken belly?
#fishmedic

Actually - this is:

Spotted Mandarin Dragonet

The Spotted Mandarin Dragonet, Synchiropus picturatus, also known as the Picturesque Dragonet and the Spotted Mandarin Goby, is one of the most beautiful fish in the entire marine aquarium trade. The Spotted Mandarin Dragonet exhibits a vibrant green scaleless body with beautiful blue/green/red...

www.saltwaterfish.com

It is not miscolored - but it is sick with something - OR - not eating. To the OP - I would suggest you get some Copepods - and try feeding. (overfeeding) - Live Copepods BTW

Phoerut · Oct 11, 2022

It eats bloody everything!! Pellets, flakes, frozen live the things a gannet! I’m so surprised that he is looking underfed? He gets fed constantly. I’ve had him about 3 months? Do I need to be concerned? He doesn’t look any smaller?

MnFish1 · Oct 11, 2022

Phoerut said:
It eats bloody everything!! Pellets, flakes, frozen live the things a gannet! I’m so surprised that he is looking underfed? He gets fed constantly. I’ve had him about 3 months? Do I need to be concerned? He doesn’t look any smaller?

You need to be concerned. sometimes internal parasites - absorb the nutrients from the food - leaving the fish 'starving'.

Phoerut · Oct 11, 2022

How can I help him? Is it definitely not the angle of his body?

Spare time · Oct 11, 2022

Phoerut said:
How can I help him? Is it definitely not the angle of his body?

Maybe try prazipro (praziquantel) which is safe in reef tanks

Rmckoy · Oct 11, 2022

Phoerut said:
Here’s some more pics

I don’t see what you’re referring to . I have the exact same fish and yours looks healthy from what I can see .

Sharkbait19 · Oct 11, 2022

Have you noticed the fish actually hunting for food around the tank? These guys need a constant source of copepods in the aquarium to feed off of. Even if they eat during feedings, they may not be getting enough.
As for the fins, I can see some small tears in the pectoral fin. Looks like small bites from another fish - monitor for aggression.

MnFish1 · Oct 11, 2022

Rmckoy said:
I don’t see what you’re referring to . I have the exact same fish and yours looks healthy from what I can see .

IF you look at pictures of the body of that type of dragonet - yours looks thin also

vetteguy53081 · Oct 11, 2022

Fish is underweight and appears to be shedding mucus. Usually target mandarins eat regular foods but focus on fatty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, lrs fish frenzy and even marine cuisine.
For mucus, what is your ammonia-nitrate and ph readings ?
How do other fish look in comparison ?

Jay Hemdal · Oct 11, 2022

Agree that the fish is thin. If it is eating well, feed it more food more often. It needs more calories going in. Then, you can decide if you want to treat the tank with a deworming medication.
Jay