soto.alvarez

hey guys.
i've got two cory catfish (albino) in my 29gal tank and recently noticed extensive fin damage to the larger of the two. both have little dorsal fin left but one of them has very little pectoral and pelvic fins. when purchased (over 6 mos ago) they were both visibly identical.

any idea(s) of what might be causing the damage?
is the damage reversible if i separate the one w/ the most damage?

fin damage aside, he seems healthy: very active swimmer/feeder (both were similar in size when i bought them but one has gotten considerably bigger - the one w/ the most fin damage)

below are some stats on my tank:

29gal fresh water (going on 1.5yrs)
6 black widow tetras (approx. 2 yrs)
6 neon tetras (approx. 1 yr)
5 tiger barbs (less than 2 months)
gravel bottom
tons of live plants

aquarist48

Hello Soto and Welcome to Fish Lore. Sounds like the Tiger Barbs may be doing some fin nipping. That would be my first guess. With an entire section of fin missing I don't know that it will grow back. Little nips on fins usually aren't a problem.
Best wishes for your fish.
Ken

soto.alvarez

thnx ken.
i've thought the same thing but some of the damage (dorsal fin) occurred before i got the tiger barbs. i'm kinda bummed mostly b/c i really like the corys but hate to thought that someone in there is stressing them out. do u think adding a couple of more might help? what about isolating the one w/ the most damage - would being on it's own stress it out?
anyone?

aquarist48

Hello Soto. If you have the means to separate the injured one it would probably be a good idea. Him alone for a while won't be as bad as being picked on. I don't see that adding a couple more will do him or the others any good. I'd try to solve the fin nipping problem before adding more, possibly rehousing the barbs or even returning them to the fish store, a species only tank for Tiger Barbs isn't a bad idea either

If you have it on hand, I'd add some stress reliever like Nova Aqua, Prime, both will help aid the slime coating. Garlic Guard and Vita Chem might help as well. These both help to boost the immune system.
Ken

soto.alvarez

thnx again Ken.
i'll head out to the pet store today and look for some type of tank divider - i have a fry 'cage' but fear it might not be big enough for the cory. should i separate the 5 TBs or just the one cory?

funny thing, i got the tiger barbs b/c i thought that the black widows were bullying the neons - the guy @ the pet store told me that TB were great b/c they don't get bullied easily...he failed to mention tho that they do a fair share of bullying themselves. tho if u're correct, wouldn't the neons also show signs of nipped fins? so far, they have not (and neither have the black widows)

NewJDempsey

If you quarantine them and keep up with water changes their fins will grow back.