Ripped Fins

[Aaron-A2]

Coral Beauty is in QT while DT is going fallow (ICH). Today I noticed ripped fins across multiple sections:

QT inhabitants:

• Flame Angel
• (2) Clowns (Oci)
• Midas Blenny

No medication. Already treated with copper ages ago, just chilling in the tank till DT finishes fallow period. Does this look like fin nipping, or a powerhead? I've never seen major aggression between fish in this QT... What options do I have? Should I treat with some anti-bacterial med?

 

[KMench]

Looks like ripped fins from aggression to me. I’m no expert, so we shall see what others say when they chime in!

 

[Aaron-A2]

Looks like ripped fins from aggression to me. I’m no expert, so we shall see what others say when they chime in!

I've isolated the only aggressive fish (Whyoming white clown). I've seen some aggression, but never to any degree where I'd be concerned... How long should I leave the fish in isolation? Is there anything I can do to prevent infection?

 

[Aaron-A2]

Is this fin rot?

 

[HotRocks]

It's either fin rot or aggression damage. You can give the fish a 90 minute bath in acriflavine (Ruby Reef Rally), and then treat with Kanaplex for 10-14 days.

 

[Waters]

You should know pretty quick if it is from aggression.....torn fins heal back pretty quick.

 

[Aaron-A2]

You should know pretty quick if it is from aggression.....torn fins heal back pretty quick.

I'll keep an eye on it. When I get home from work, I'll do a large WC just in case.

 

[Big G]

<<<< Clowns can be persistent and aggressive tankmates. They just won't stop sometimes being bad actors. But they are so cool looking

 

[RocketBunny]

Coral Beauty is in QT while DT is going fallow (ICH). Today I noticed ripped fins across multiple sections:

QT inhabitants:

• Flame Angel
• (2) Clowns (Oci)
• Midas Blenny

No medication. Already treated with copper ages ago, just chilling in the tank till DT finishes fallow period. Does this look like fin nipping, or a powerhead? I've never seen major aggression between fish in this QT... What options do I have? Should I treat with some anti-bacterial med?

Your flame angel and the Coral Beauty fight. I also noticed that fish like to act more aggressive when you are not around and not looking at your tank. Watch them from a distance, hidden, and see what causes the ripped fins.
I personally think that it is the flame angel, they tend NOT to do well with any other angel, as they are too territorial and the other angel, will die... unless you remove one of the angels. When it comes to flame angels, don't keep them unless you have a giant aquarium with a lot of territorial space.

So do this, remove the flame angel and put her into a separate SMALL tank. Let the coral beauty heal up (month-2 months) and that will also allow her to establish her territory. Then once you see that she is healthier and stronger, you could put the flame angel back in, but I would recommend for you to sell her... small tanks are bad for flame angels.

I also would say that the clowns don't touch angels or ANY other fish, except clowns of their own, or different species. Leave the clowns alone... focus on your flame angel.

Also please tell me your order of introduction that you had... what fish came first, what came last... What is your tank size, are your rocks full of holes or they aren't... all of this accounts for aggression...

EDIT: This is probably NOT fin rot, because I see 'bite' marks on her anal and dorsal fins... fin rot typically has tissue discoloration around that area :: her tissue around the damaged area contains its color, so this MOST PROBABLY isn't fin rot.

 

[Dom]

Clown fish can be extremely territorial.

I'm guessing your QT is smaller than your DT. If that is true, less room will lead to more aggression. Additionally, if the tanks are roughly the same size, the aggressive behavior you are seeing may be temporary as they will establish territory in the QT.

 

[Aaron-A2]

Your flame angel and the Coral Beauty fight. I also noticed that fish like to act more aggressive when you are not around and not looking at your tank. Watch them from a distance, hidden, and see what causes the ripped fins.
I personally think that it is the flame angel, they tend NOT to do well with any other angel, as they are too territorial and the other angel, will die... unless you remove one of the angels. When it comes to flame angels, don't keep them unless you have a giant aquarium with a lot of territorial space.

So do this, remove the flame angel and put her into a separate SMALL tank. Let the coral beauty heal up (month-2 months) and that will also allow her to establish her territory. Then once you see that she is healthier and stronger, you could put the flame angel back in, but I would recommend for you to sell her... small tanks are bad for flame angels.

I also would say that the clowns don't touch angels or ANY other fish, except clowns of their own, or different species. Leave the clowns alone... focus on your flame angel.

Also please tell me your order of introduction that you had... what fish came first, what came last... What is your tank size, are your rocks full of holes or they aren't... all of this accounts for aggression...

EDIT: This is probably NOT fin rot, because I see 'bite' marks on her anal and dorsal fins... fin rot typically has tissue discoloration around that area :: her tissue around the damaged area contains its color, so this MOST PROBABLY isn't fin rot.

I got home and noticed more fin damage. You are probably right, but I've never SEEN the flame angel be the aggressor. In fact, the flame angel is TINY in comparison to the coral beauty, so I'm surprised.

I'll move the flame to the time out box....

@RocketBunny - I just moved the flame angel to the fry cage in my QT tank. My coral beauty is moving slowly and not eating much. Is it possible that from the nipping, he got an infection?

I have the following medications readily available.
- Maracyn 2
- Metroplex
- Kanaplex
- Focus

Should I begin a treatment?

 

[RocketBunny]

I got home and noticed more fin damage. You are probably right, but I've never SEEN the flame angel be the aggressor. In fact, the flame angel is TINY in comparison to the coral beauty, so I'm surprised.

I'll move the flame to the time out box....

@RocketBunny - I just moved the flame angel to the fry cage in my QT tank. My coral beauty is moving slowly and not eating much. Is it possible that from the nipping, he got an infection?

I have the following medications readily available.
- Maracyn 2
- Metroplex
- Kanaplex
- Focus

Should I begin a treatment?

Yeah... it is very possible... Keep her fed. I chop mine vegetables and greens... Mine eats parsely at times, but mostly grazes on algae around my tank... Greens will help her boost her immunity back up. Text me back in the private chat you sent. Thanks

 

[BestMomEver]

Check your nitrites and other parameters. I’ve seen high nitrites eat the fins off a fish very quickly.. just an idea.

Other than that, it could be the clown, the flame, or both.

 

[Aaron-A2]

Check your nitrites and other parameters. I’ve seen high nitrites eat the fins off a fish very quickly.. just an idea.

Other than that, it could be the clown, the flame, or both.

Nitrates are at around 20. Doing a 6-7g water change (QT is 30 gallons, but realistically there's probably 25g in there).

 

[4FordFamily]

Two centropyge is a risk — if you have another in the tank, then it is likely the flame angel.

They can occasionally be mixed but amongst many other fish and added at the same time. Generally better in numbers of 3+ without any repeated species.

 

[Aaron-A2]

Two centropyge is a risk — if you have another in the tank, then it is likely the flame angel.

They can occasionally be mixed but amongst many other fish and added at the same time. Generally better in numbers of 3+ without any repeated species.

Full story (TLDR version): They were added at the same time to my DT (250g) after a 30 day QT. Flame is MUCH smaller, no aggression shown in QT or DT. Fast forward --> Ich. Went fallow, I have < 30 days left of my 76 day period. Within that delta, I observed no aggression.

So I'm not saying it wasn't the flame, just that I haven't observed it. I have already taken feedback and moved the flame to the fry cage in the QT. Doing a 25% WC as nitrates are at 20~ in hopes to prevent infection.

 

[4FordFamily]

Full story (TLDR version): They were added at the same time to my DT (250g) after a 30 day QT. Flame is MUCH smaller, no aggression shown in QT or DT. Fast forward --> Ich. Went fallow, I have < 30 days left of my 76 day period. Within that delta, I observed no aggression.

So I'm not saying it wasn't the flame, just that I haven't observed it. I have already taken feedback and moved the flame to the fry cage in the QT. Doing a 25% WC as nitrates are at 20~ in hopes to prevent infection.

Well, sometimes smaller centropyge can be the aggressors — @HotRocks Potter’s angel is a total jerk to his flame but they’re in a 180 and they have enough space that nothing gets serious and they’re playing better every day.

I also would watch for fluke damage. Anything on the eyes?

 

[Aaron-A2]

Well, sometimes smaller centropyge can be the aggressors — @HotRocks Potter’s angel is a total jerk to his flame but they’re in a 180 and they have enough space that nothing gets serious and they’re playing better every day.

I also would watch for fluke damage. Anything on the eyes?

Hmm, not that I noticed. I can check though. Also, if I need to, I can separate the tank with egg crate to prevent the two angels from hurting each other. Do you think that's an idea worth trying?

 

[4FordFamily]

Hmm, not that I noticed. I can check though. Also, if I need to, I can separate the tank with egg crate to prevent the two angels from hurting each other. Do you think that's an idea worth trying?

Not a horrible idea. I do also agree that clowns can be jerks

 

[Aaron-A2]

Not a horrible idea. I do also agree that clowns can be jerks

No visible eye blockage (rims, or eyes themselves).