Torn Fin

[platy mom]

I just got 2 platys a week and a half ago. This morning I noticed that my male has a torn top fin. What can I do to help it heal? The setup is a 10 gallon tank with an in-top filtration system and power head. No problems with the water quality. Could the current be aggravating his injury? I am fairly new to keeping aquariums so any help would be appreciated.

 

[platy mom]

Sorry I guess in my anxiousness to help my platy, I forgot to introduce myself and got right to the point. Anyway, I am a college student who is new to keeping fish. I hope that my first post wasn't too rude. Again, I am just anxious to get some advice. Thanks for your patience!

 

[Corleone]

As long as water quality is up there (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, low nitrate), it should heal fine on its own, as long as there's no sign of infection like finrot. Many of my fish get little nicks in their fins by brushing against rocks or running afowl of my bristlenose at feeding time, and they generally recover in a few days to a couple weeks for bad tears.

 

[platy mom]

Thanks for getting back to me! I will just keep on top of the water to make sure it stays at good quality and watch him to make sure its not getting any worse.

 

[WILDER]

If water quality is good and no infection I agree the fin should heal on its own.
Melafix is only good once fins are healing if it was bacterial finrot.