240 Ltr tank, using RO, heavily planted.
Ph 6.5
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 5-8ppm
Nitrite 0

6 Bronze corys
1 Sterbai
17 cardinal tetras
2 german blue rams
5 marble hatchetfish

I've had the corys for about 3 months now, and obviously, as they don't come out much in the day, I haven't seen much of them. A few days ago I noticed a small one swimming strangely about in the open, with the lights on. Looking closer he is about half the size of the others, with a very small dorsal and tail and totally non existant pectoral fins. The poor little chap obviously can't swim well and just lays about in the open, I feel bad because I don't know how long he has been like this whilst hiding with the others.
When I got the hatchetfish 2 months ago they developed the dreaded whitespot, which Protozin cleared up within the week, however 2 hatchets died. No other fish were affected and at that point I didn't have the cardinals.
All other fish are very healthy. What could be wrong with the poor chap?

Hi tomchurchman.

That doesn't sound good. From your description it could be fin rot. I don't know what part of the world you're from but in North America we use Erythromycin or Maracyn Two or Tetracycline.

I suggest you post again in the medical emergencies thread along with your location.

Good luck.

Are your Rams giving any trouble that you have seen?

There are several things that can happen. Bronze are very prone to fungus when there is a problem. But that doesn't sound like it here. It is likely a bacterial imfection. How are the barbels?

Because you use Ltr as your measure it is likely you are in Europe. So getting help from the Emergency Forum would be best. They know the meds available and useful.

This post has been edited by jollysue: Jul 8 2008, 06:43 PM

Thanks, I'm in the UK. Posted in the emergencies forum.