How does a fish get Tail Rot? And is there a Treatment?

Question

Our school fish is dying with it and we want to know if we can help him...

Answer 1

Tail rot, fin rot and saddle back disease are all forms of the same problem. They are all caused by various bacteria of the Aeromonas, Pseudomonas or Flexibacter genra and are readily treatable with proper antibiotics. Medications such as Melafix and Pimafix usually will not stop a cause of fin rot once the fish is showing symptoms but is instead a general preventative treatment. I would suggest treatment with Maracyn TC or Maracyn 2 once the fish has a significant case of tail rot.

With tail rot, you will see the edges look torm or frayed and usually white along the boarder of the infected area. If treated promptly, it responds well to treatment and the affected fin will grow back in a short time. Once it gets to the actual flesh of the fish it is called penducle disease and it far more difficult to treat and the damaged fin will rarely grow back.

Fungus may also be present at the site of the infection and would add a cottony like appearance to the edges of the fin. If this is the case you will also need to treat for the fungus.

MM

Answer 2

FIN AND TAIL ROT = Usually the first thing you notice is that the tail starts getting ragged looking. Sort of like a plate that has a chip or 2 out of it or it looks like some one has taken a few bites out of it. As time goes on more and more of the tail and fins will rot off. Usually there will be the starts of Fungus on the torn ends. Again, as time goes on this will increase as well.

You don't mention what type of fish you have..but bala sharks are extremely susceptible and it kills them rapidly. Others seem to respond well and quickly to treatment.

Coppersafe is the best treatment. Use for 10 days. Make sure that its safe for any catfish or other types of "scaleless" fish in your tank. It's good to use for 30 days because after being sick, they're immune systems are down and they can get another type of illness quickly.

Answer 3

Tail rot is as far as I am aware a fungus much like white spot. Your local pet shop or Aquatic centre will have a solution to put in the water that should help. I had a Silver shark with tail rot a couple of years ago, I isolated him in a separate tank and treated him with a solution from my local store and it cleared right up. He lasted another 5 years!!!!

There may be more than one cause of tail rot, so best to seek advice from the experts. Good Luck.

Answer 4

It is known as fin rot and you can get a treament solution from a shop that sells this type of thing.

However, I'm sorry to say that if it is really bad even treating the rot it may be too late. Someone needs to take responsibility of this fish and make sure that it does not suffer any longer than necessary.

In future make sure that any fish you keep is kept in clean water and any uneaten food is removed from the pond or aquarium. As uneaten food causes bacteria that will eventually contaminate the water and this can cause fin rot in fish.

Take care and I hope your wee fish recovers.

Answer 5

Go to a Pet store and tell then about your fish. They will sell you an antibiotic for this problem. The rot is generally caused by a fungus or microbacteria. It is curable but you must follow the directions carefully. You may have to remove the fish from the main tank and keel him isolated for awhile.

Answer 6

a good product to use is Melafix and Pimafix.

Answer 7

Add melafix.