angel fin problem

gjm258 · #1 12/30/2007, 08:12 PM

I have a new coral beauty in qt. Over the past week the flesh has disapeared over two of it's dorsal spines. Any ideas on what this could be or how to treat it?

Rondelet · #2 12/31/2007, 02:35 PM

What are the water parameters in your Q tank? Sounds like the fish is suffering from fin burn from high ammonia levels. I would test the water and make a few big water changes so you can make a more informed decision on what to do next.

gjm258 · #3 12/31/2007, 02:47 PM

Nope, amonia came out 0.
The only parameter that is out of wack it the nitrates, 15.
But I am doing a large water change today to correct that.

I did put a piece of base rock in the tank, I'm starting to think the fish might have scratched itself trying to get under the rock. I think I'll take that out.

BryanJ · #4 12/31/2007, 03:06 PM

I had a bicolor angel with fin problems found a flake food with Vitamin C and added some freeze dried cyclopeeze cleared right up. JME

gjm258 · #5 01/02/2008, 10:47 AM

I think I've figured it out. I was at a LFS this weekend and they suggested that it was damage caused by netting the fish. I remember the fish sort of "sticking" to the net when I got him out of the acclimation bucket and into the QT so I'm pretty sure that was the problem. The fish is still eating like a pig so I'm sure with a little time he will be fine.

LargeAngels · #6 01/03/2008, 09:00 AM

If not, do a FW dip and see if it has flukes. Flukes can cause that type of damage and flukes are virtually impossible to see on the fish.

gjm258 · #7 01/03/2008, 11:02 AM

I did a 10 minute FW dip when I got the fish, should I do it again?

LargeAngels · #8 01/03/2008, 11:49 AM

If you didn't see anything in the bottom of the container the first time you did it then it probably doesn't have flukes.

gjm258 · #9 01/03/2008, 02:40 PM

Just for future reference... If a fish does have flukes, would a second dip be in order?