Is fin rot a possibility?

[dawnie]

I've had my fin_tank Lincoln for two weeks now, got him two weeks ago today. I upgraded him from a 1.3 gallon to a 5 gallon heated and filtered tank last Sunday. Lately I noticed his fin's looking pretty beat up, so I swapped out his plastic plants for silk ones and removed his decorations - thought maybe they were causing the damage. Not sure if it's fin rot, but the ends of his fins aren't black or red. Lincoln mostly swims along the bottom of the tank, and his fins do get pretty close to the gravel sometimes. Had his water checked on Tuesday and it's fine - I also picked up an ammonia kit today and there's no ammonia in his tank. Ran the other tests too, and his nitrates are zero, pH is fine, not alkaline.

[trollmaster]

Hi there and welcome.

First off, just saying your water parameters are fine doesn't give us much to go on - we need actual numbers. Those test strips you're using aren't the most reliable either, I'd recommend switching to a liquid test kit for more accurate readings.

Also, I've learned the hard way that you can't always take a pet store employee's word for it.

As for Lincoln's fin issue, from what you've described, it doesn't sound like fin rot to me - or at least, it's very mild if it is. Can you tell us what your actual water readings are?

[dawnie]

I have the liquid ammonia test now, and I've tested it yesterday and today - 0ppm both times. I've just ordered the API test kit, which includes all the liquid tests, so I'll be able to post more accurate readings once I get it. Glad to hear it's not fin rot, but what's the next step to help him heal? I've already replaced the plastic plants with silk ones. Now I'm thinking of removing the gravel since he likes swimming near the bottom and I'm worried it's tearing his fins.

[dawnie]

I'm glad I could get a liquid ammonia test and it's been 0ppm both times I used it. I just ordered the API test kit with all the liquid tests, so I'll be able to give you more accurate readings once I get it. Thanks for letting me know it doesn't look like fin rot, that's a relief. I've already switched to silk plants and I'm thinking of removing the gravel since Lincoln likes to swim near the bottom and I think that's what's tearing his fins.

[trollmaster]

ok good. right so what's the deal with your substrate, what kind are you using.

[goldminer]

Can't see the pics btw

[dawnie]

Hi there and welcome.

First off, just saying your water parameters are fine doesn't give us much to go on - we need actual numbers. Those test strips you're using aren't the most reliable either, I'd recommend switching to a liquid test kit for more accurate readings.

Also, I've learned the hard way that you can't always take a pet store employee's word for it.

As for Lincoln's fin issue, from what you've described, it doesn't sound like fin rot to me - or at least, it's very mild if it is. Can you tell us what your actual water readings are?

I have gravel in Lincoln's tank, it's the kind that comes in a bag, I'm thinking of removing it because he likes to swim near the bottom and I think that's what's tearing his fins.

[trollmaster]

Is the gravel pretty rough on his fins?

[dawnie]

Hi there and welcome.

First off, just saying your water parameters are fine doesn't give us much to go on - we need actual numbers. Those test strips you're using aren't the most reliable either, I'd recommend switching to a liquid test kit for more accurate readings.

Also, I've learned the hard way that you can't always take a pet store employee's word for it.

As for Lincoln's fin issue, from what you've described, it doesn't sound like fin rot to me - or at least, it's very mild if it is. Can you tell us what your actual water readings are?

It's pretty smooth, I'd say. I'm just worried about Lincoln's fins now. How long does healing usually take for this kind of thing? Is there anything else I should be doing, besides the daily water changes, to keep his water clean and help him heal?

[goldminer]

I still can't see any photos of the fish, Without a photo all anyone is doing is guessing.