Neon Tetras With Jagged Fins Normal Or Fin Rot?

[orli]

Hi all,

I have set up a new tropical tank as per the book, let it cycle, checked the water countless times and bought 5 neon tetras today (all water readings where 0). When I got them home one has jagged dorsal fin and a little bit missing from his tail another looks like the top of the tail fin has been bitten off. They have no other symptoms, no white spots, no cotton wool fluff, no reddening of fins and seem more than happy, swimming about together and watching what Im doing. Not sure if im just being paranoid as theres are my first fish in a few years or if it could be something more sinister like fin rot.

I tried to take a picture but they are too small to show up the fins!

Any opinions would be highly appreciate
Thankyou very much
Orli

 

[mislisa]

Hi! first off, welcome to the forum! you say that you've cycled the tank... how long has the tank been running, and how did you cycle it? if you haven't already, you should have a read through here.

your neons were probably bullied a bit at the store, but i'd keep an eye on them for other signs of illness, especially as neons tend to prefer mature tanks (6+ months old).

Good luck!

 

[orli]

Hi! first off, welcome to the forum! you say that you've cycled the tank... how long has the tank been running, and how did you cycle it? if you haven't already, you should have a read through here.

your neons were probably bullied a bit at the store, but i'd keep an eye on them for other signs of illness, especially as neons tend to prefer mature tanks (6+ months old).

Good luck!

Thankyou for the reply and the welcome the tank has been running a week, using filter start and have been checking the water chemistry. The ammonia, nitites and nitrates have all been at 0 for the last 2 days after the jump off the scales in the beggining. I know everyone has different views on how long a tank should cycle for some do for 60+ days and some think 3 days is ok which I know isnt true. Yea I read that they like mature tanks after reading a million things that say they are perfect for beginners and buying them! I understand that the tank will take 6-8 weeks to properly cycle thats why only keeping 5 neons. Hoping this will be fine.
They have started to bully each other in the tank now, so will be wathcing them very carefully for any signs of illness and will do regular water checks to make sure they are in perfect water!

Thanx again for the reply

 

[orli]

just a quick reply, I had to take the fish back, they did have fin rot and started to get cotton wool on their dorsal fins. My water was fine, tested it religously, its a shame! I hope they actualy heal the fish after you take them back! Its my fault for buying them from a large chain store, they never look after their fish.

 

[golfzzin]

I had this happen with my neons when i first had my tank. The reason for it happening was plain and simple i didnt cycle the tank correctly, i put those little guys through hell. I still have some left from that, they all seem happy enough but show the scars of what they went through

 

[orli]

I honestly know it wasnt my water, as the levels where all 0 when they where in there and they had signs of fin rot the second I took them out of the bag. I should have checked them in the fish shop before I payed for them! Sorry to hear your fishies have their battle scars, as long as they seem happy I suppose.