My loach has a small cut on top fin.

[Ares710]

Hello! I was doing a water change and realized that my dojo loach has a small rip/cut on it’s top fin. He’s still acting as he always does, nothing out of the ordinary, and still eating. I wanted to know if I should be concerned or if he is fine and to just let it heal on its own.

*dont mind the green water lol, I’m working on it*

 

[aquanata]

It looks a bit, eroded up to the nipped bit? You might want to fill out the emergency template. He'll need pristine water - as in ammonia - 0, nitrites 0 & nitrates 5-10 or so as a 1st step regardless.

The emergency template & a full tank pic would help us suggest help for your little guy.

 

[Cue]

It looks fine. If it starts developing whiteness or fuzziness around the edges it’s probably fin rot, which you’ll treat the same way as you prevent it, clean water.

 

[fish 321]

doesn’t seem to bad, just keep the water clean and he should be fine

 

[Redshark1]

Fins heal quickly in clean water with good parameters.

 

[Ares710]

Thank you guys! I’ll make sure to do frequent water changes, which I have been doing lately, and to keep an eye on him to make sure it’s healing well. If any problems do occur I’ll make sure to keep you posted!

 

[Ares710]

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 30 gallons
How long has the tank been running? 3-4 months
Does it have a filter? Yes *I added in a Green Killing Ma
Does it have a heater? No
What is the water temperature? 71-73
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) 1 dojo loach ( I had another one that recently had to be euthanized), 4 buenos ares tetras, 1 small mystery snail

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? 1-3 times a week (working on controlling green water, but normally once every week)
How much of the water do you change? 20-30%
What do you use to treat your water? API tap water conditioner, Seachem Stability, occasional API Algeafix
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? I use a tube to vacuum debris from substrate & water

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? I only have access to PH strips, but I have gotten it tested at a local pet store and the parameters were good.
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”. I’m so sorry but I do not have a test kit as of now. I know it would help so much for you to be able to help but I just am not able to get one now.

Ammonia:
Nitrite:
Nitrate:
pH: 7.0

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? 1 time per day
How much do you feed your fish? A pinch (aka enough that they can eat in a about a minute)
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Tetra & top fin
Do you feed frozen? No
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? A but over 2 years
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? 2 days
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Possible fin rot, top fin decaying along with back fin
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? No, besides the fins changing in shape.
Hello! I was doing a water change 2 days ago and realized my dojo loach had what appeared to be a nip on its fin, so I posted a picture on a different thread and most people said it looks fin and just to watch for signs of rotting. Today I was watching him and realized his top fin has been getting more ripped appearing. I looked at all his other fins and his back fin is also “decaying” and possibly his back bottom fin. I am not sure if it is fin rot, but I really need some advice on what to do!

 

[Frank the Fish guy]

I would give your fish some live food and more diverse foods. He is an omnivore. Mix it up with some bugs, insects, worms, veggies, brine shrimp, algae wafers, krill.

 

[Ares710]

Yea I didn’t mention but I do feed algae wafers and occasionally veggies, I just got a cucumber to give him some. Do you think feeding him a larger variety of foods will help with his fins?

I would give your fish some live food and more diverse foods. He is an omnivore. Mix it up with some bugs, insects, worms, veggies, brine shrimp, algae wafers, krill.

Is there a specific brand and type of frozen bloodworms you recommend? I want to try those out in my tank but I am not sure what kind to get, there’s so many! I’d like to hear a recommendation from a real person with experience.
I have another question: I have recently put in a green killing machine (works great) but my loach likes to lay on top of it. I’m kinda concerned he’ll get hurt or even stuck on it, as it’s pretty close to the top of the tank and right next to the filter so there isn’t a lot of room for him to lay, so that’s why I’m worried he’ll get hurt on it. I put a plant on top of it to try and keep him off, but he just pushed his backside into the small space. I know it’s probably not a big deal, but I just don’t want him gettin g hurt.

 

[Frank the Fish guy]

Dojo's are very curious and will explore using their noses. I would not worry about him.

Many of us (like me) are very allergic to blood worms. They cause my throat to close and I have trouble breathing. The worms actually have a chemical like a bee sting in them and some of us react to it like bees. So just be cautious to see if you are one of those people.

Yes a diet of live foods and diversity will help him with his fins. We need protein to grow body parts and many of the processed foods lack protein.

 

[Ares710]

Dojo's are very curious and will explore using their noses. I would not worry about him.

Many of us (like me) are very allergic to blood worms. They cause my throat to close and I have trouble breathing. The worms actually have a chemical like a bee sting in them and some of us react to it like bees. So just be cautious to see if you are one of those people.

Yes a diet of live foods and diversity will help him with his fins. We need protein to grow body parts and many of the processed foods lack protein.

Thank you! I just recently bought him some frozen bloodworms that I’m going introduce to him tonight.