Fin Rot

[black molly3]

i noticed my male krib had a chunk out of his tale and looks like it is becoming infected. is fin rot easily curable. what medication should i get.
thanks

 

[Colin_T]

fin rot is caused by dirty environmental conditions. If the tank is clean then healthy fish should be able to recover from a bite without any medication.

Try doing a partial (30-50%) water change and gravel clean each day for a week and see how he looks after that. If the area becomes red and inflamed, or develops white fluffy stuff on it during that time, then get some medication.
Waterlife Myxazin or Protozin will work as will Triple Sulpha or Tri Sulpha, (there are numerous brands of the sulpha drugs).

 

[black molly3]

i think i am going to get some different gravel also. i have also read it can be due to over crowded conditions or cold water. is this true. thanks for the info i will nip out get some new smaller gravel and some medication for it i will then do a 30% water change. 1 more thing. when i am adding the new gravel should i remove the fish and put them in a bowel or something. thanks

 

[Colin_T]

Over crowded tanks leads to more gunk and waste in the gravel and filter. This is a common cause of finrot and other diseases. Doing more regular water changes and gravel cleans, reduces the gunk in the tank and helps reduce the potential for disease outbreaks.

Try doing the water changes and gravel cleans first, you might be able to fix the problem without using medication.

Rinse the new gravel out with fresh water and when it is clean leave it in a bucket. Then scoop the old gravel out with a net or plastic bucket/ tub. Leave the fish in the tank and just remove the gravel slowly so you don't spook the fish. Once the gravel is out, carefully add the new gravel to the tank.
If you do a gravel clean first it will reduce the amount of gunk that floats around the tank when you remove the gravel.
The tank will look messy for a few hours after the new gravel has been added, but it will clear up within a day or so.
Drop the water level in the tank a couple of inches before you remove the old gravel.