Fin rot or fin nipping?

[OnlyFinsCT]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

Under 20

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

51-60%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

I inherited 6 silver dollars with a used tank purchase. They all have varying degrees of fin damage, with the one pictured being the worst of the group. I’ve had them about a week and a half now and have not noticed improvement in the fins. They were in with a strawberry Leo, which also had bad fins (I have the Leo too in a different tank and his fins have improved), and a giant gourami and I’m not sure what else. I don’t know the water quality of the tank they came from but do know that he was drastically overstocked and under filtered. I assume they came from poor water quality conditions. Do you think this was a result of fin nipping from their previous tank or is this fin rot that requires treatment? I have not noticed fin nipping amongst themselves while in one of my established tanks.

View attachment IMG_4440.jpeg

 

[Deadeye]

That looks like fin damage to me. The leporinus would be my first guess, but if it also has damage there may be another aggressor.

 

[kno4te]

That looks like fin damage to me. The leporinus would be my first guess, but if it also has damage there may be another aggressor.

+1

 

[OnlyFinsCT]

That looks like fin damage to me. The leporinus would be my first guess, but if it also has damage there may be another aggressor.

I think I need to rehome the strawberry Leo. I don’t know much about them and I don’t think he goes well in any of my tanks. I suspected him to be the fin nipper so put him in his own 40B away from all the other fish, however that tank is temporary for healing and not suitable for a fish if his size. Would you just let the fins heal naturally on their own?

 

[Deadeye]

The fins should recover fine on their own. Characins especially tend to heal from damage quickly.

Strawberry are supposed to be smaller and more laid back than other species, but as a whole leporinus are notorious fin nippers. My fasciatus hates silver dollars.

What’s the full tank stocking?

 

[OnlyFinsCT]

The fins should recover fine on their own. Characins especially tend to heal from damage quickly.

Strawberry are supposed to be smaller and more laid back than other species, but as a whole leporinus are notorious fin nippers. My fasciatus hates silver dollars.

What’s the full tank stocking?

The 6 silver dollars are in with a juvenile black diamond ray, juvenile FRT, and 2 blood parrots. The Leo is in his own tank. I have no idea what they were kept with from the previous owner, I only know they were all together in with at least the Leo and a giant gourami all cramped in a 180G. I think there may have even been other tankmates as well.