Black Pahntoms, Raggedy Fins.

[henryfg]

Hi. I have noticed that of my 4 black pahntoms sometimes they have raggedy fins. It is usually the dorsal or anal fin, and sometimes a hole through it, but not open at the top. Almost like a hole punch. It is also sometimes just a piece missing though. There is nothing in the tank that would be nipping fins (except maybe the other phantoms?) and it doesn't look like fin rot (I think?). It is always just between two rays of the fin, and never on the tail. Water stats are as follows (API master test kit).

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - ~20ppm
pH - 7.4

The other thing is when I check the day after, the holes are generally gone, then they might come back after a couple of days, then go again. So it's not an enormous problem, just wondered if anyone knew what was causing this and if it's preventable?

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.

Holes in fins can be damage due to something sharp in the tank, fin nipping, or bacterial finrot.
Any white, red, pink, edging at the end of the fins.
Do the fins look cloudy or transparant.

 

[henryfg]

It's an 8 gallon (UK) tank, then the 4 phantoms, 3 otos, a honey gourami, 1 bamboo shrimp and a golden apple snail (except I think it's escaped, so maybe not that one).

The fins look totally like normal, same colour etc. except for the holes/tears. There is no coloured edging to the damage either. Also they repair themselves very fast, but then new ones appear occassionally. I also notice it seems to be on the females more frequently than the males. Any ideas about that?

Something sharp in the tank is feasible, except there's really only gravel, plants, and pebbles in there...

 

[WILDER]

Just make sure there no signs of nipping. Does the shrimp have ago at the fish.
Also make sure there nothing that can damage the fins in the tank, No sharp edges.

If there no signs of infection. Just some water changes.

 

[henryfg]

OK cool. I've been looking for signs of nipping, but most of tghe boisterous behaviour is between males, and they don't seem to bite anyway. I will continue to check however. As for the shrimp I'm not sure he has the apparatus to have a go at a fish, but I'm keeping my eye on him as well.

I guess, since in 24 hours the damage is gone anyway, that whatever causes this doesn't happen often anyway, so it's probably not life threatening! Thanks for your help though, nice one.

 

[WILDER]

Fish can heal themselves in good water quality.
Soak there food in garlic juice to boost there immune system.