Swordtail Finrot

[shortymet55]

I think my male swordtail has finrot. Hes been acting normal, but today during feeding, I noticed part of his fin, there is what looks like a part ripped off and its white there. Im so confused, because yesterday it was fine. Can the fin start to rot a noticeable amount in only a day? What should I buy for meds? I only have "Quick Cure". Will this work? Ill try to get a picture soon. Hes acting fine, but I dont have another tank to put him in, so I need a good cure to prevent spreading. The rest of the fish look fine. Water stats too come also.

 

[shortymet55]

Water Stats:
Ammonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Dont have other tests.
Water change yesterday (New tank, so this was the first)

29 Gallon Tank (4 days old, using old tank filter media)
- 3 swordtails
- 4 Rasboras
- 1 Chinese Algae Eater

Fish acting normal. Could this be a result of Stress from switching tanks? It was in my 10g for about a year. Just did another water change. 15% both times I did them.

 

[Colin_T]

Finrot is normally caused by poor water quality. The fish get stressed by the bad water and bacteria get into them and start to destroy the fins. Often there is some reddening around the damaged fin.
See how the fish goes over the next few days. If it gets worse then maybe treat them but if it doesn't then just leave them be. The fin should heal up by itself in a few weeks.
Keep an eye on the Chinese algae eater because they can be a bit of a problems when they get bigger. Male swords will also spar (fight) with each other and sometimes their fins get damaged during this.
If the fin goes white and fluffy then fungus has gotten into the wound. If it goes red and looks inflammed then a bacterial infection has got into it.

 

[shortymet55]

Ok, Ill just keep an eye on it. I mean my water stats are normal. Well, I assume Nitrates and all are fine too, because its a new tank with live plants and the tank is well understocked until I know the tank is established and settled perfectly. i hope it cures itself.

One more thing. I dont see how it could be stress. He seems alot more happy in this new tank. In the 10g his was chased by the female, so his fins would always be closed and he would hide in the corner alot. How his fins are wide open, and he swims all around, and he is no longer chased.