Fringed fins

[Never2Bknown]

I have one male Cobra guppy (he'd be pretty lonesome were it not for my female sword, but unfortunately for him, he can't do much there!) in my twenty-gallon aquarium along with several other fish--none of which are fin-nippers, unless you count my male Endler's, who does chase the guppy, but, I do not believe, does any harm. Nevertheless, even before I had bought my Endler's, my guppy's tail has become very frayed and ragged; no fin rot, thank goodness, but no explanation on my part, either. I am wondering if the condition of his tail has to do with the water in the aquarium at all, seeing as it does have some salt in it for my balloon-bellied molly and simply for most fishes' health in general. Could the salt be at fault with the deterioration of my guppy's tail? He is in no way sick, but he is, none the less, a lot prettier with an undamaged tail, and I think he'd be happier, too--it might also lessen the possibility of diseases such as fin rot, as well. Thus, if you might have any explanation to what exactly is going on with my guppy's tail, it would be greatly appreciated. If I can find out what the problem is, than perhaps I may be able to fix it to the betterment of my guppy--and quite possibly to the whole fish aquarium in general.

 

[Guppygal]

I ended up inheriting about 30 guppies from a friend recently and many of the males tails were very ragged and torn. I sort of suspected fin rot but wasn't sure.

One thing I remembered is when I did a water test in his aquarium I saw that the water tested VERY hard. Some research online found a couple articles concerning fancy tails and hard water. Here is one:

http/petsforum.com/cis-fishnet/afm/G29020.htm

I think that was my fishes problem and may be yours too..

 

[snowyangel]

I very much agree with guppygal. My guppies fins were looking a little frayed/tattered so i did an all out water test. I found I have very hard water and this is damaging to their fins.

 

[Never2Bknown]

Thus, would it be your suggestion that I use less salt? I am not precisely sure about the definition of "hard water."