Hi! I'm back from vacation. Anyways, when I got back, Fred's tank was gross. I left the light on by accident (just led lights) and algae grew over them So I did a full change and cleaned it and it was totally fine after, I stuck him in and he had the time of his life. I have never seen him more alert, active, happy. It was really cute because he explored all four corners of the tank and swam around, brushed up against his marimo, etc.
Anyways, about two days later, I noticed his dorsal fin looked like it had been bitten/torn/shredded a bit on the tips. His 'butterfly' was gone on that fin He has a deformed dorsal fin for whatever reason, I don't know. He was a petco fish. His dorsal fin is still there, the tips just look like they have been eaten sort of. Stringy ends.
I took him out today, he happily swam to the top and surprised me. He allowed himself to be caught really easily! Maybe it's because he's been so happy and active in his new tank (and a little spastic/darty but he's not clamped or burned or anything. No weird scales/fins, not concerned. He's just happy). I took him out and put him into the hospital tank (half gallon) with 1tsp of aq salt and stress coat to prevent any possible fin rot...just as a precautionary measure.
I inspected the 5 gallon for anything that could have ripped his fin, but there was nothing. I don't know what did it. I assume that it COULD have been the filter, as there is a smalll rectangular opening(pictures below) where the water goes in and comes out the top fountain. Has anyone else had this problem? I put a rock on the top fountain to reduce the water turbulence, since his fins are quite heavy, so if anything, I imagine that the suction of the filter would be less intense.
Fred has never been a fin biter.
If it is the filter, is there anything I can do about the opening? I have a five gallon fluval chi, so I don't really know how to take that filter apart...
also, when should I take him out of the hospital? In three days? a week? I will do daily water changes.
He's really sad in the half gallon lol. I also really want this tank to work out. He seems to really enjoy the space.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Pictures:
The ones of him in the big tank are of the first couple of days he was in there, unharmed and happy.
Anyways, about two days later, I noticed his dorsal fin looked like it had been bitten/torn/shredded a bit on the tips. His 'butterfly' was gone on that fin He has a deformed dorsal fin for whatever reason, I don't know. He was a petco fish. His dorsal fin is still there, the tips just look like they have been eaten sort of. Stringy ends.
I took him out today, he happily swam to the top and surprised me. He allowed himself to be caught really easily! Maybe it's because he's been so happy and active in his new tank (and a little spastic/darty but he's not clamped or burned or anything. No weird scales/fins, not concerned. He's just happy). I took him out and put him into the hospital tank (half gallon) with 1tsp of aq salt and stress coat to prevent any possible fin rot...just as a precautionary measure.
I inspected the 5 gallon for anything that could have ripped his fin, but there was nothing. I don't know what did it. I assume that it COULD have been the filter, as there is a smalll rectangular opening(pictures below) where the water goes in and comes out the top fountain. Has anyone else had this problem? I put a rock on the top fountain to reduce the water turbulence, since his fins are quite heavy, so if anything, I imagine that the suction of the filter would be less intense.
Fred has never been a fin biter.
If it is the filter, is there anything I can do about the opening? I have a five gallon fluval chi, so I don't really know how to take that filter apart...
also, when should I take him out of the hospital? In three days? a week? I will do daily water changes.
He's really sad in the half gallon lol. I also really want this tank to work out. He seems to really enjoy the space.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Pictures:
The ones of him in the big tank are of the first couple of days he was in there, unharmed and happy.