First of all info you need:
Ammonia=0ppm
Nitrite=0ppm
Nitrate=5ppm
pH=8.1
Tank is a 12 gallon eclipse with filter and biowheel
Change 4 gallons of water weekly. Add 1ml stress coat per gallon and 1 tablespoon aquarium salt per 4 gallons added. Use brita filter on added water. No change to any of this routine.
No medication intank for at least 10 months. No new fish for 11 months. Same food for 11 months, bioblend goldifsh sinking pellets.
Only 1 fancy goldfish in tank for past 11 months who has been very healthy. Still very active however notice his fins becoming frayed over the past week and starting to creep deeper into fin about 1/4 inch. New fake trees added to tank about 3 weeks ago, could this be the culprit? I just tested water and water last changed 6 days ago. Fish has grown well over past 11 months. Had a problem with frayed fins at the start but treated him with Marcyn 1 and 2 and it disappeared.
Any ideas, I am starting to get worried and want to stop this getting any worse.
Full Version: Frayed Fins But Water Fine?
Your culprit could be one of a few things.
The first being is there anything in the tank that could be fraying the fins?
Next, the salt. Often salt can become to concentrated and begin this problem. Not sure why you use the salt on a weekly basis, but I have found to only use it sparingly when a problem arises.
The dose I use then is 1tsp per gallon of water. This gives a 0.1% concentration. I hardly ever go more than that. Up to 0.3% is ok, but like I said, there is no benefit to using salt on an everyday basis.
So I would remove the salt thru partial water changes and not add more back.
Lastly it could be a parasite. Most of which go undetected simply because one needs a microscope to diagnos them. Is the fish doing any flashing, rubbing, spitting food, yawning or any other behavior?
The first being is there anything in the tank that could be fraying the fins?
Next, the salt. Often salt can become to concentrated and begin this problem. Not sure why you use the salt on a weekly basis, but I have found to only use it sparingly when a problem arises.
The dose I use then is 1tsp per gallon of water. This gives a 0.1% concentration. I hardly ever go more than that. Up to 0.3% is ok, but like I said, there is no benefit to using salt on an everyday basis.
So I would remove the salt thru partial water changes and not add more back.
Lastly it could be a parasite. Most of which go undetected simply because one needs a microscope to diagnos them. Is the fish doing any flashing, rubbing, spitting food, yawning or any other behavior?
I am going to take the new trees out today, and the next water change due tomorrow will not have anysalt so I will start fazing it out. For some reason I thought they needed salt in the water, thanks for putting me right.
Fish is acting perfectly normal, no spitting food, yawning or odd behaviour.
How about I add Coppersafe to the water with this water change too? I did that when I got him 11 months ago and along with the antiiotics the frayed fins cleared up. I wasn't going to start with antibiotics just yet though. Any thoughts?
Fish is acting perfectly normal, no spitting food, yawning or odd behaviour.
How about I add Coppersafe to the water with this water change too? I did that when I got him 11 months ago and along with the antiiotics the frayed fins cleared up. I wasn't going to start with antibiotics just yet though. Any thoughts?
I think a few water changes sound better. 
Normally that will clear up any fin problems unless it went bacterial.You should always try the easiest ways first before going for the meds as they can cause more problems if being used and not really needed.
See what getting rid of some of that salt by water changing, will do,first.
Normally that will clear up any fin problems unless it went bacterial.You should always try the easiest ways first before going for the meds as they can cause more problems if being used and not really needed.See what getting rid of some of that salt by water changing, will do,first.
I agree with Devs. Go without any salt for a couple weeks see if there isn't an improvement. Of course if it continues to get worse then let us know.
Thanks
I have completed 2 water changes since the original posting and removed the new trees incase they were too sharp. I have not added any salt to the water.
His fins look ragged but don't seem to be getting worse. How would I notice if a bacterial infection had set in?
His tbehaviour is the same as always, he is darting around and very active, no change there!
I have completed 2 water changes since the original posting and removed the new trees incase they were too sharp. I have not added any salt to the water.
His fins look ragged but don't seem to be getting worse. How would I notice if a bacterial infection had set in?
His tbehaviour is the same as always, he is darting around and very active, no change there!
A bacterial infection in the ends of the fins usually involves red streaks the run up the tail. Keep an eye on it.
No red streaks however more of the fin is disappearing and now large chunk missing. Fish's temprement no different though.
Ok I have been treating the frayed fins with melafix for 4 days now and fish seems fine however now noticed that the a small section of the end of his fin is red. No streaks up the fin though. He is still swimming around as if nothing is bothering him. Any ideas? Should I be concerned???
I'll leave the meds issues with the Mods here but I have you thought about nutrition. You say you have been using the same food for 11 mon ths? Just one kind? If possible a variety of diferent foods including some veggies like peas is good for fish and smell that fish food- it doesn't always keep for 11 months. I try and get new pellets after 6 months. Just some ideas, ignore them if Im way off..
Good luck.
I will check the food, thank you so much for the advice.
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