Majestic_Aquariums Posted January 9, 2005 Report Share Posted January 9, 2005 We have 10 Silver Dollars (2" to 3") in a 90 gal, along with some smaller tetras, and 3 dwarf gouramis in a community tank. Their growth was quick at first, but now some have been losing their fins. There aren't any fin-nippers, all get along fine, and it is only the Silver Dollars that have this problem. We do regular water-changes (25% per week) Was wondering if this is easily explained-is it a difficiency in diet,ect. Thanks in advance! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted January 9, 2005 Report Share Posted January 9, 2005 What are your water parameter(ammonia,nitrtie,nitrate). Sometimes eroding fins can be caused by poor(or less then ideal) water conditions. Maybe, 25% each week isn't enough for your tank(although i woudl think it would be with just tetras and smaller fish). But if the nitrates are high a 25% might not be enough to keep them at a lower level. Or it could be that the silver dollars are nipping each others fins. I have a group of 5 columbian tetras that always have "chewed" up fins and i never noticed any nipping. I was watching them one night and noticed that after lights off they woudl chase eachother around. So just because you havent' seen any nipping doesn't mean it isn't happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishManTy Posted January 9, 2005 Report Share Posted January 9, 2005 Sounds like a simple case of Fin-rot. Many ways to treat it, the one I most prefer is just a dose of Mela-fix. Should be available at most petstores, if not all of them. Works like a charm for me. If it isn't fin-rot, there is no harm in treating with mela-fix anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted January 9, 2005 Report Share Posted January 9, 2005 Sounds like a simple case of Fin-rot. You still need to find out why your fish is getting fin rot to be able to prevent it from coming back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majestic_Aquariums Posted January 10, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 I will have to check things a little more, and it could be either I guess. We have never noticed any fighting, all seems well there, but It is possible. The fin-rot thing may be it too-time to check closer, and medicate, I guess. Thanks for the help Robert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Either way (fin rot or aggression) you'll want to make sure your water is kept near pristine for the next while so that the fish don't become further stressed, and so that bacteria doesn't take hold. (which could lead to secondary infections) If the nitrates are over 40 ppm, I'd suggest stepping up the water changes until they come down to under 20 ppm. That alone should reduce the stress from any water paramater problems, as well as help the fish heal. Also, make sure you aren't feeding old outdated food, as those fish are going to need a boost in nutrition (and vitamins) to fend off any further fin loss, and to regrow their damaged fins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 And buy your Melafix at one of the two Wal-Marts in town....it's cheaper than Petland. Dunl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 (edited) Actually, if you purchase the Pond solution Melafix at Petland, I believe it's a better deal than the regular strength at Walmart. If the fish are otherwise healthy, and are fed quality food, the water changes alone should clear up the problem. Edited January 10, 2005 by RD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunl Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Actually, if you purchase the Pond solution Melafix at Petland, I believe it's a better deal than the regular strength at Walmart. Didn't realize they had a pond one....any other pond stuff they have, such as Prime???? :drool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 (edited) FYI - Pond Prime is the exact same formula (and strength) as regular Prime. Time for you to buck up & get some ClorAm-X. http://www.islandscallops.com/cloram-x.htm Edited January 10, 2005 by RD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatpuffer Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 The pond melafix is 5 percent and the regular one is one percent...so u end up adding less melafix in your tank since it is stronger! I have been using it for a while now. Someone in this forum also created his own melafix out of tea tree oil (100%) and water...just do the calculations whether you want it 5 or 1 percent...however, the oil tends to float in water so shake well before dispensing...or if you really want to "dissolve" it, use gum arabic so it will mix with water...you can buy gum arabic on ebay... I have not tried the gum arabic way so please use on "test" fish first!!!! That is the only thing i have found that would mix oil with water...melafix obviously dont have it on their label... JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 No offense to the ingenious DIY'er, but if you find yourself needing that much Melafix in your tanks, I suggest taking a closer look at your husbandry practices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatpuffer Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 I guess you can make a big batch and give it out...help out other hobbyist! You dont have to make a big batch...just enough for u to use..ie. the smaller size melafix bottles... JS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Someone in this forum also created his own melafix out of tea tree oil (100%) and water...just do the calculations whether you want it 5 or 1 percent...however, the oil tends to float in water so shake well before dispensing...or if you really want to "dissolve" it, use gum arabic so it will mix with water...you can buy gum arabic on ebay... I'm a her :P I made my own home made version of melafix and i dont' havea problem with the oil separating from the water. Mixing melaluca oil and water isn't like mixing regular oil and water. I have never had a problem with it forming an "oil slick" on the top of my water. Even when i use it my tanks with less surface aggitation it isnt' really a problem. No offense to the ingenious DIY'er, but if you find yourself needing that much Melafix in your tanks, I suggest taking a closer look at your husbandry practices I dont' see how making DIY melafix is any different then doing a DIY version of anything else fish related. Its not like you end up making gallons of this stuff. A little bottle of melaluca oil made me a 2l bottle of melafix. If treating a large tank you go through the stuff fairly fast. It is just something to try. I probably wouldn't make it again. The onyl reason i did was because i already had the melaluca oil at home. If i had to purchase it i probably woudlnt' have made it. I think the pond Melafix is a better deal in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RD. Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Oops, sorry Val, point taken. BTW - now that I know you're 6' 5", I'll be more careful about what I say in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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