Swordtail Injury

[haylz]

Hi guys,

I'm pretty new to fishkeeping

To keep things short - on thursday I introduced 2 swordtails and 2 mollies to my tank, which already had a corydora and 2 angelfish.

A couple of days later I noticed the base of on of the swordtails tail was looking a bit limp, but couldn't see any injury and he was behaving normally, so I didn't think anything of it.

When I woke up the next morning, he had lost his sword completely. I really don't know what to do - I've hd a good look and all his other fins look fine, he doesn't have white spot... his is a bit quiet and subdued but other than that doesn't seem in any distress or pain? The only thing I can think of is that we have quite an agressive molly - he does a lot of chasing but I haven't seen him bite, and the angelfish are a bit nippy too but again I haven't seen them actually make contact with any other fish.

So basically - is this normal? does he need treatment? is it likely to be disease or another fish? my other swordtail is fine by the way.

thanks in advance

p.s. water has been checked and all ok (before adding fish), no fish have died or shown any problems etc)

 

[Azaeil]

Could we possibly see a photo? It would help us figure out what's going on more easily! So far it sounds like he cut himself on something but we can't be sure without visuals :C

 

[haylz]

I'm at work at the moment, so won't be able to post a pic until tonight, I will as soon as I can. The rest of his tail seems fine, appart from at the bottom its a little jagged where the sword has come off.

 

[KittyKat]

Set up information please..
* Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH readings
* Size of aquarium?
* When did you set it up?
* How often do you do maintenance?
* How big are the angels? are they a breeding pair?

Some observations:
* Corys are schooling fish, keep in groups of 6+ of the same species if you can
* Angels usually do best on their own or in groups of 6+, but if yours get on together, then hopefully there will be no problems
* Most livebearers (swordtails and mollies included) should be kept at a ratio of 2 females per male

 

[haylz]

Set up information please..
* Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH readings
* Size of aquarium?
* When did you set it up?
* How often do you do maintenance?
* How big are the angels? are they a breeding pair?

Some observations:
* Corys are schooling fish, keep in groups of 6+ of the same species if you can
* Angels usually do best on their own or in groups of 6+, but if yours get on together, then hopefully there will be no problems
* Most livebearers (swordtails and mollies included) should be kept at a ratio of 2 females per male

I've only kept fish for a month so a lot of that is gobbldygook to me sorry
* My LFS has been testing the water for me every week, so i don't know what it is but he assured me its ok
*very small tank to start off with 21l but we are looking to get a bigger one
*set up about 6 weeks ago, 2-3 weeks with no fish, 2 weeks with angels and cory, 1 week with cory angels swords and mollies
*partial water changes and algea cleaning every week, filter done once.
*I know some of these fish ideally should be kept in larger groups, however I don't want to overcrowd and we are looking for a bigger tank. LFS seemed to think it would be ok.

*all of my other fish seem happy tbh. the angel fish only seem to bother with the swords. but then its only chasing (they are only small btw)

hope thats enough info its the best I could do from my desk at work sorry I would go to my LFS but I can only go on my days off and I'm working all day today. Just concerned if he is ok really (sorry can't provide pic to help) I don't want him to suffer but as I said he is looking ok?

thanks for help

 

[KittyKat]

* Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH readings

I've only kept fish for a month so a lot of that is gobbldygook to me sorry
* My LFS has been testing the water for me every week, so i don't know what it is but he assured me its ok

I have seen LFS say "water is ok" when it was toxic enough to kill most fish in a day. Please get them to write down the exact reading. Even better, get your own liquid test kit.. that is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any beginner.
Do you know about what a cycle is and how it works? If not, please go read the beginner's resource on here. Ammonia and nitrite readings of over 0.25 ppm are toxic to fish.

* Size of aquarium?

*very small tank to start off with 21l but we are looking to get a bigger one

This is not suitable for any of the fish you have, even in the short term.. sounds like you've been listening to an LFS who want your money and don't care about the fish. I recommend you start doing all research online and looking for a good LFS.

* When did you set it up?

*set up about 6 weeks ago, 2-3 weeks with no fish, 2 weeks with angels and cory, 1 week with cory angels swords and mollies

You are about at your ammonia peak now, maybe starting with the nitrite peak. This means your ammonia and nitrite readings are probably over 0.25 ppm and your fish are currently being poisoned. I would recommend that you start changing 50% of the water every day, replacing it with warm and dechlorinated water, then get a liquid test kit as soon as possible.

* How big are the angels? are they a breeding pair?

*I know some of these fish ideally should be kept in larger groups, however I don't want to overcrowd and we are looking for a bigger tank. LFS seemed to think it would be ok.

To put this in as pleasant way as I can, your LFS are bull#105###ting you. This is in no way your fault and we will try to help you correct things if you're willing to take our advice.

 

[helterskelter]

* Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH readings

I've only kept fish for a month so a lot of that is gobbldygook to me sorry
* My LFS has been testing the water for me every week, so i don't know what it is but he assured me its ok

I have seen LFS say "water is ok" when it was toxic enough to kill most fish in a day. Please get them to write down the exact reading. Even better, get your own liquid test kit.. that is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any beginner.
Do you know about what a cycle is and how it works? If not, please go read the beginner's resource on here. Ammonia and nitrite readings of over 0.25 ppm are toxic to fish.

* Size of aquarium?

*very small tank to start off with 21l but we are looking to get a bigger one

This is not suitable for any of the fish you have, even in the short term.. sounds like you've been listening to an LFS who want your money and don't care about the fish. I recommend you start doing all research online and looking for a good LFS.

* When did you set it up?

*set up about 6 weeks ago, 2-3 weeks with no fish, 2 weeks with angels and cory, 1 week with cory angels swords and mollies

You are about at your ammonia peak now, maybe starting with the nitrite peak. This means your ammonia and nitrite readings are probably over 0.25 ppm and your fish are currently being poisoned. I would recommend that you start changing 50% of the water every day, replacing it with warm and dechlorinated water, then get a liquid test kit as soon as possible.

* How big are the angels? are they a breeding pair?

*I know some of these fish ideally should be kept in larger groups, however I don't want to overcrowd and we are looking for a bigger tank. LFS seemed to think it would be ok.

To put this in as pleasant way as I can, your LFS are bull#105###ting you. This is in no way your fault and we will try to help you correct things if you're willing to take our advice.

Great response. Could not put it better.
Your following the shop guide to buy more fish and medications. Shame this happens to so many people.
It's worth learning about as this is a fun hobby and very rewarding once it's all setteled

Good luck.

 

[haylz]

* Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH readings

I've only kept fish for a month so a lot of that is gobbldygook to me sorry
* My LFS has been testing the water for me every week, so i don't know what it is but he assured me its ok

I have seen LFS say "water is ok" when it was toxic enough to kill most fish in a day. Please get them to write down the exact reading. Even better, get your own liquid test kit.. that is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any beginner.
Do you know about what a cycle is and how it works? If not, please go read the beginner's resource on here. Ammonia and nitrite readings of over 0.25 ppm are toxic to fish.

* Size of aquarium?

*very small tank to start off with 21l but we are looking to get a bigger one

This is not suitable for any of the fish you have, even in the short term.. sounds like you've been listening to an LFS who want your money and don't care about the fish. I recommend you start doing all research online and looking for a good LFS.

* When did you set it up?

*set up about 6 weeks ago, 2-3 weeks with no fish, 2 weeks with angels and cory, 1 week with cory angels swords and mollies

You are about at your ammonia peak now, maybe starting with the nitrite peak. This means your ammonia and nitrite readings are probably over 0.25 ppm and your fish are currently being poisoned. I would recommend that you start changing 50% of the water every day, replacing it with warm and dechlorinated water, then get a liquid test kit as soon as possible.

* How big are the angels? are they a breeding pair?

*I know some of these fish ideally should be kept in larger groups, however I don't want to overcrowd and we are looking for a bigger tank. LFS seemed to think it would be ok.

To put this in as pleasant way as I can, your LFS are bull#105###ting you. This is in no way your fault and we will try to help you correct things if you're willing to take our advice.

thanks very mch for the advice I really appreciate it. Yeah I'm willing to take your advice I'm really greatful to talk to someone who is going to be honest with me I really won't be able to afford another tank untill about a month time will they be ok until then? If so what size tank would you reccommend for my fish plus a few more eventually (a couple more cory is all I'm looking for)?

Also yeah I can start doing 50% water changes every day... how long should I do this for? and also I havent got a means for dechlorinating water... if anyone could get me a link (ebay pref) to a water testing ket and dechlorinator I'd be really greatful as I don't want to buy the wrong thing.

thanks very muchfor the help again

 

[haylz]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-6-1-WATER-TEST-KIT-AMMONIA-A99-/150554446817?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item230dbe8be1#ht_1337wt_1139

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tetra-Aqua-Safe-250ml-Dechlorinator-Chlorine-Aquasafe-/220734713358?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item3364d06e0e#ht_500wt_922

are these ok?

 

[KittyKat]

The dechlorinator/dechloraminator is fine.

The test strips are very inaccurate and not reliable. People here usually recommend the API Master Test Kit, which is liquid. It costs about double the test strips, but will probably outlast them in practice and is considerably more accurate.

 

[KittyKat]

I really won't be able to afford another tank untill about a month time will they be ok until then? If so what size tank would you reccommend for my fish plus a few more eventually (a couple more cory is all I'm looking for)?

All of those fish do best if they have at least a 3ft aquarium, in my experience. I personally think that angels should have at least 4-5ft, but some people disagree with me on this specific point. It does not matter that you only want a few more Corys, the fish need the swimming space if nothing else.. so, for example, a 3ft tank will take 2 swordtails or 10, but they need the 3ft to be able to move. Like without exercise, humans are unhealthy, so are fish.

Also yeah I can start doing 50% water changes every day... how long should I do this for? and also I havent got a means for dechlorinating water... if anyone could get me a link (ebay pref) to a water testing ket and dechlorinator I'd be really greatful as I don't want to buy the wrong thing.

If you use tap water directly, you will harm the fish with the chlorine and chloramine. Do you have access to rain water? If not, then bottled water might work for a short time..

Chlorine dissipates from water if left to stand for 24 hours in a bucket, but chloramine takes a week, so the traditional emergency route is not an option nowadays.

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Haylz.
A tiny tank like yours would be fine for a few of the smallest of fish but is far too small for mollies or angels. On average we suggest a tank at least 18 inches, 45cm, deep for angels. For mollies, I would not try a tank less than 2 feet, 60cm long. The 5 gallon tank you have is probably OK in the very short term for the angels since they are likely very young fish. The mollies, if they are over 1 1/2 inches, 4 cm, long is a bit too short but lots of huge water changes with proper dechlorination can make that tank safe for a short stay for them.
I would try going through the fish-in cycle article that I link to in my signature area. That article will give you some insight into the situation that you have found yourself in. Many new fish keepers find themselves in that same situation, which is why I carry around a link to that article. If you do not understand the advice in the thread, or want more information as it relates to your own situation, please feel free to post in the Your New Freshwater Tank section of the forum. That is where true experts on cycling like Waterdrop hang out.