jeffc

My red tail shark has a circular hole in his tail very close to where body and tail meet. Any ideas.
Tank is 60 litre all levels are OK ,tank has been set up since Dec 08 and he is one of the original fish introduced, he has grown to about five inches.

capekate

Hello and welcome to Fishlore
I moved your thread to a more appropriate forum where it should get more attention.
How long has your RT had this hole in the tail? Did it start small? Was it discolored at anytime first.. or did you just notice it one day.
If it is newly discovered, its possible that he injured it on something in the tank or was bitten. If it started out small or discolored it could be another problem such as a disease of some type.
Do you have any photos of it? And can you let us know what else you have in the tank with him?
A lot of questions but the answers may be able to help others help you determine what may have happened to your RT.

jeffc

I have just realised it is a hole, I originally thought he had a white spot on the tail, but now see clearly that it is a hole, I assume it has got bigger as I have noticed it. His tank mates are 3 neon tetras, 2 zebra danios, 2 black mollys, 2 platys, 1 siamese fighter, 2 clown loaches(who he bullies)

Attached Images

P1000465.JPG (94.2 KB, 23 views)

capekate

Thanks for the info update, I forgot to check your aquarium info
If it started as a white dot and then progressed to the open hole and gaging from the photo it is my opinion that it looks like a fungal infection and I would treat it accordingly. Hopefully others will stop by and give you their advice on it as well.
Best of luck with that...

ABCDemily

It appears that your tank is a teeny bit overstocked, which could be the reason your RTS could have a hole, maybe the water conditions aren't pristine. I totally agree with capekate about the fungal infection.

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore jeffc!! im going to disagree and I think its some kind of battle wound.you have a 16 gal tank and with the loaches, betta, and the rts in there, it could have been anyone of them claiming territory ...the rts alone needs 20 gals so he doesnt feel the need to terrorize for his space...

HN1

I agree that it's most likely a wound. It could now be infected however. What are your water parameters? The best thing in the world for it will be clean water so don't be shy about doing frequent and large water changes. Just an FYI in case you didn't know... The clown loaches will grow VERY large in time and require a very big tank.

Welcome to the site and good luck!

jeffc

Cheers everyone