Who Gives A Fish Forums

Noticed some fraying on the edges of my Discus fins yesterday. They're in a 75-gallon tank, temp at 84°F, pH 6.8, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, nitrate around 10 ppm. Been doing 30% water changes twice a week, feeding a mix of frozen bloodworms and beef heart. Tankmates are 6 cardinal tetras and a pair of German Blue Rams. No recent additions or changes. Could this be fin rot or something else?

Fin rot usually starts with white or black edges before fraying. Any discoloration? Also, how old are the fish? Younger Discus are more prone to stress-related issues.

I've had similar issues before. Check for any aggressive behavior from the Rams. They can get territorial, especially during breeding. My money's on nipping, not fin rot.

Could be bacterial if the water's clean and there's no aggression. Try upping the water changes to 50% for a week and see if it improves. Also, what's your filter setup? A clogged filter can mess with water quality even if params look good.

Agree with Limey on the bacterial angle. If it's fin rot, you'll see progressive deterioration. If it's static or improving with cleaner water, it's likely physical damage. Monitor for a few days before jumping to meds.

How's their appetite? Stressed or sick Discus often go off food. If they're eating well, that's a good sign it's not serious. Also, any redness or inflammation at the base of the fins?

Might wanna check the flow rate too. High flow can stress them out, make 'em prone to fin damage. My Discus chilled out when I dialed back the filter output.

Raptor wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 7:30 pm I've had similar issues before. Check for any aggressive behavior from the Rams. They can get territorial, especially during breeding. My money's on nipping, not fin rot.

Rams can be sneaky with their aggression. Try observing at feeding time when they're most active. If it's nipping, you'll see quick darting moves.

What's the substrate? Sharp gravel can cause fin damage when they forage. Sand's the way to go with Discus.

I'd lean toward water quality too. Even if params are good, dissolved organics can irritate fins. Try adding some Indian almond leaves—they've got antibacterial properties and might help.