Could this be fin rot?

[Christina]

I am attempting to add two pics of my tangs. Blue one has been like this since I got him, back in Nov. Yellow one has been in the tank since Nov also, however just developed this fin issue. At first it just looked like a tear, but not sure anymore, and the lower fin doesnt "retract" like it did? I had some water quality issues, that I posted about recently, now I need to know how to treat my two fish that may be effected. Blue tang had been stressed but eating well for 5 months now in my tank. Both are very hungry, and active still.

I am working on getting a q tank set up just in case.

Christina

[ToddTT]

What is their diet? And how often are you feeding them?

[Christina]

right now, they are getting brown, red and green seaweed strips, 2X3 "square twice a day (rotating brand) Once a day either frozen spirillina fed brine or mysis shrimp, and every three days a little chopped scallop (they get a little to occupy them as I feed the sea star, BTA and purple lobster.

This was changed a few weeks ago, when Lee brought it to my attention that I wasnt feeding, enough or the right foods.

Christina

[ToddTT]

This was changed a few weeks ago, when Lee brought it to my attention that I wasnt feeding, enough or the right foods.

Have they gotten worse in the last three weeks? Or no change yet?

You might also add to your rotation:






And you might also try some supplements like Kent Zoe and Zoecon:

Kent Marine Zoe Marine Vitamin

Kent Marine Zoecon

[Christina]

I may have to order some of those. Not sure I have seen them in LFS or Petsmart, but I have one more LFS I can check, I just dont like to go in there, there fish never look good. Thank you for all the information.

Actually, They look much better since I started feeding more, the yellow tang was looking a bit washed out, and his color is looking better everyday! It is just the torn look that is new. But too many canges at once hit my water quality a bit hard. I hope I have it under control now. tonight, tests came out just how I was hoping.

So maybe just diet related and not fin rot?

Thanks,
Christina

[ToddTT]

Improving the water quality and diet should go a long way to improving their conditions. If they are not too compromised, they may begin to heal on their own.

If they worsen, Lee may suggest some treatments.

The pics you posted will serve as a good reference. I'd keep an eye on them for another week and see how things progress.

[leebca]

As Todd indicated, a fish in a good environment and being fed properly will heal on its own.

Since you've been feeding better you've noted some color improvement in the YT. But what is also important is whether or not there has been fin improvement in the two fishes? Have their fins been healing? Has the 'webbing' between fin spines been filling in? Do the fish get along? -- has there been any interaction you have seen between the fish -- at all?

[Christina]

As Todd indicated, a fish in a good environment and being fed properly will heal on its own.

Since you've been feeding better you've noted some color improvement in the YT. But what is also important is whether or not there has been fin improvement in the two fishes? Have their fins been healing? Has the 'webbing' between fin spines been filling in? Do the fish get along? -- has there been any interaction you have seen between the fish -- at all?

Well, I went back and found a video I took of my tank and fish from just over 3 weeks ago. Just before I cleaned both the filters and caused an upset in my tank. The YT was fine. No ripped fins, the Blue tang looks just about like it did in the above picture, and he came to me like that Nov 09. So the fins on the YT are new. They do not seem to be getting any worse right now. I am keeping an eye on the water quality. Going to get a better testing kit asap. These two fish seem to get along just fine. they swim together, and apart. They sleep in different areas of the tank. Every now and then they will swim around in circles that makes me think they are disagreeing, but it lasts for seconds, with no contact. I do have an aggressive 6 linned wrasse, but it wont go anywhere near the tangs, and is very small. They YT has an obsession with a purple lobster, which is funny to watch, he wont let any other fish near the lobster. I have read the the lobster could be a danger to the fish, and have been hand feeding him twice a week for 5 months. He was an accident, and the first invert in the tank, I bought a 7 lb live rock, put it in my display and he swam out backwards and startled me.


Point was before I started ramling, Everything seems peaceful to me.

Thanks,
Christina

[leebca]

I think the fish should have shown noticeable improvement. If I read your post correctly, you have not noted noticeable improvement overall.

Start up a two quarantine tanks, one for each fish, or a larger one with a barrier in it. They need to be treated with an antibiotic, in my opinion. I would suggest using a medication that contains NITROFURAZONE (like in the product, Furan-2). Follow medication instructions.

Have you run a QT before? If not, this is what to do: A Quarantine Process (step-by-step)

[Christina]

Thank you. I checked this morning, and my YT has more fin issues, so it is not going away. I am going out today and getting everything together for a QT. I have read your article, and will follow. I dont want to let them go any longer without meds. I would have had everything I needed for a small 10 gal QT, but I let the kids set it up with there beta fish, so I will go out and buy something bigger any, should have done this a long time ago. Just one of those things LFS store didnt think I needed, they were wrong.

Christina