What is the matter with my fish?

Question

I have a 10 gallon fish tank... and 7 fish... my fishes' tail seems to be chewed away... 6 of the fish are zebra danios and they chase eachother around and don't even bother my other fish... i have never seen them near the other fish (which is the one with the chewed tail)... Are zebra danios fin nippers? Or do you think he hurt his tail behind the heater or filter (favorite places to be)? He's a beautiful fish and I hate that his fins are being nipped or ripped... what should I do? And do fins repair themselves?

okay... so should I feed them more often?

well... just in case it is tail rot... the "rip" is on the top end of the tail... it looks jaggedy and white...

Well, Raj, to be completely honest... when I posted those posts I already had my betta living peacefully in my 10 gallon for a couple months

Answer 1

Danios are neither aggessive, nor are they semi-aggressive. They are classified as community fish. However, if your water parameters are off, or if your other fish (you didn't mention what kind he is) has long, flowing fins, they can become fin-nippers. If your other fish does have long flowing fins, you should consider putting him in a separate tank.

Also, get your ammonia/nitrites/nitrates and pH tested. If you don't have the kits to do it yourself, take a sample to your local petstore, as they will usually test it for you free. Your pH should be around 7.0. Your ammonia should be at 0ppm, nitrites at 0ppm, and nitrates at less than 40ppm (20ppm or less is ideal). If any of your readings are higher, do a 20% water change. You should be doing weekly water changes of 20% now as it is.

Your fish may heal. Consider putting him in his own tank or bowl, and treat him with aquarium salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water). If you don't have a separate tank, you can use a clean bowl to do a salt bath (taking him out of the tank, placing him in a salt solution using the 1 tablespoon per five gallons of water, leave him in there for ten minutes or so, and release him back into the tank). While you're doing these salt baths, also consider adding a bit of Stress Coat, as it contains aloe to promote healing.

Good luck with your little guys! Hope everything turns out ok!

Answer 2

Danios are eveil fish, Yes I believe at night when the light is off they attack. I have never had luck with the devil fish. get rid of them. or just have danios. Yes fins do groew back. I f the fins look kinda slimy or whitish it couls be fin rot. But my guess is the danios.

Answer 3

danios r semi-aggressive, especially if they're of the jumbo variety. they will nip ea. others fins if not fed enuf also they're territorial.
rule of thumb is 1 fish per 3 gals. of water.
chek PetSmart or Petco for remedies for fin repair. gl

Answer 4

Your tank is still not cycled! I assume from your previous questions.
Please read the article of mine below. In the meanwhile add some anti ammonia compound (Ammolock) to you tank. The fin rot is because of this.

Answer 5

No, his fins won't heal, and he will probably die. I had the exact same thing happen to one of my fish. Sometimes it doesn't matter what type of fish they are, if they were already a dominant fish in their previous environment, or whatever, they might not react well to newcomers. Sorry about your fish.

Answer 6

sounds like tail rot and fish are actualluy mean they will attact a injured fish. nothing you can do. its not your fault. let it go. i have fancy goldfish and some i've had for more than 11 years, the one's that get the tail rot are goners. be sure and keep your tamk clean.

Answer 7

You have too many fish in the tank. Danios are aggressive fish.

Answer 8

Place him in a different tank and watch to see if these injuries reoccur.

Answer 9

i have a confession to make i ate the tail im sorry