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Old November 10th, 2007  
Fish Bum
 
Fin rot help

My two fantail goldfish just got fin rot today. It is from my two new swordtails. The male started biting them yesterday then the female today. The two swordtails have been moved to another tank for the moment.

How can I fix fin rot? I know that the carbon needs to be taken out, but what do I give my fish medicine wise?

Thanks everyone
Commodore1 is offline  
Old November 10th, 2007  
King of Curt
 
Goldfish and swordtails should -not- be kept together. Goldfish are temperate water fish whereas swordtails are tropical.

I rarely treat fin rot with medication. (Mainly because finrot is a rarity in our tanks.) But increased waterchanges and a small dosage of antibacterial medication would probably help minor cases. Antibacterials such as 'methylene blue'.

If you break down the cause and effect of the situation you'll see what I mean.

Swordtails nipping fin could cause irritation and possible infection -if- they also nipped the fish and caused actual injury. If they did not nip the fish itself, just its fins they probably ripped the fin a bit and nothing more. Ripped fins heal with time and good waterconditions as well as ridding one's self of the nipper. If however it was an actual infection it is most probable to be bacterial, as we all know bacteria is the basis of the aquarium's well-being. Fungal finrot can happen, but is much less common than some people think. (People sometimes suggest anti-fungal medication is why I say this.) If you are a person that'd rather medicate than try to treat with water conditions then there are plenty of medications out there, but as I said a bit of anti-bacterial and increased waterchanges should do the trick.

I would do 50% twice weekly waterchanges with methylene blue in the tank (or suppliment a low strength anti-bacterial medication of your choosing) and ensure not to overdose the tank.

The anti-bacterial medication just mainly cuts down on the chance of infection while the fish is recovering.

I will stop rambling now.
Chief_waterchanger is offline  
Old November 10th, 2007  
Fish Keeper
 
just out of interest, are the goldfish in a heated tank? I ask because if they are, one of the ways to get rid of fungal problems is to raise the temperature for a few days, along with frequent water changes and perhaps medication if needed. You can also add some sea salt to the water. The bacteria that causes finrot doesn't survive well at higher temperatures or in brackish water.

If they are not in a heated environment, the swordtails must have been very unhappy!
timg is offline  
Old November 10th, 2007  
King of Curt
 
Goldfish do not survive well at higher temperatures or in brackish water.


That would be like using bleach to cure cancer... it kills cancer cells... it also kills the rest of the cells that make up the patient.

The last line was an analogy only and not meant for any other reason.
Chief_waterchanger is offline  
Old November 10th, 2007  
Fish Keeper
 
Not saying they do, just that as a temporary treatment it works, or at least, it always has for me, back in the days when I kept only goldfish! I do like the analogy though!

But then again, don't many medicines for the aquarist contain little nasties like formaldahide? Not exactly good for the fish either, long-term, but works well on the target bacteria in a short-term treatment and the fish are able to withstand these conditions for short periods.
timg is offline  
Old November 10th, 2007  
Fish Bum
 
No their tank isn't heated and they don't have fungus, but you could have been on to something there. Now I know not to put them kind of fish in the same tank again thanks that was really helpful. I'll do the water changes first and I think I might have some of the methylene blue somewhere.

The swordtails also bit the actual fishes body but no injuries are visible there.
Commodore1 is offline  
Old November 15th, 2007  
Fish Bum
 
One of my goldfish captain died the day before I started treatment. I have only put in one dose so far and Goldy was looking better by the morning. Now he's swimming around more happy then ever
Commodore1 is offline  
Old November 15th, 2007  
King of Curt
 
Thanks for the update Commodore1. I'm glad it worked out for Goldy, and sorry it didn't work out well for the other one.
Chief_waterchanger is offline  
Old November 16th, 2007  
Fish Bum
 
Thanks man
Commodore1 is offline  
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