View Full Version : Any way to keep an angel's fins intact?
CajunCC
09-10-2004, 3:13 AM
I've noticed that, no matter what I do, my angels' fins are always frayed. I've dealt with fin rot in guppies and other fish, but this seems different. It doesn't get worse or better. I've tried MelaFix to no effect. My experience with other fish is that MelaFix usually heals the fins quickly, but it won't help my angels. Is this just a normal thing for angelfish? They don't show any other signs of disease or stress. The silver dollars and the pleco in the same tank all have intact fins.
Here's what they look like:
800 x 670 pixels (116 KB) (http://www.myrtlemadness.net/~cajuncc/fish/29gallon/spot.jpg)
Dangerdoll
09-10-2004, 8:45 AM
sounds to me like they're stressed for some reason or another. How long have you had the Angel and what size tank is it in?
CajunCC
09-10-2004, 11:19 AM
The problem is affecting all three of my angels. I've had them all about 6 months. It's a 29 gallon tank with the three angels, four silver dollars, and a pleco. I do 20% water changes every week. The water stays nice and clear and all the fish are very active, eat well, and don't seem otherwise unhealthy.
Could they be stressed because they're territorial? I know angels will pick on each other and the largest one (pictured) definitely makes a sport out of chasing the other two around at times.
N8DOGG
09-10-2004, 11:27 AM
is the tanks a 29H or 29L?
I think it may be a little crowded if its a 29H. I have one of those and its tall and good for the shape of the angels but it doesn't leave enough room to run. I really don't know what the 29L looks like if its that. Also do more water changes and up the % to 50 %. Do you have any tests? whats you nitrate/nitrite/ammonia?
Dangerdoll
09-10-2004, 11:41 AM
ah, his fins look as if they are just growing out to me.... they don't look too frayed in the aspect of stress.... but it is a little crowded in my opinion too... the tank is probably best for 3 of those fish.... and maybe the pleco. At this point, as N8 says, the water changes should probably be increased a bit in order to keep things clean...
CajunCC
09-10-2004, 12:09 PM
It's a long tank, not high. You really think it's overcrowded? That surprises me actually, but I'm still learning a lot after only about a year in the hobby. Maybe I should be saving cash for a new 55 gallon home?
As for the fins, you think it's just how they're growing? In the 6 months that I've had them, the angels have grown tremendously, well more than doubling in size. If the fins look the way they do because of natural growth, then I'll stop worrying about it. :)
Dangerdoll
09-10-2004, 12:29 PM
yeah, I would look into getting something bigger. The minimum tank requirement (and I use that term loosely) is a 20 gallon for 1, then and additional 10 gallons for each additional Angel. So with the additional fish (as well as the dollars) you'll need something bigger as the aggression issues may start to become deadly.... At any rate, yes, I believe the fins are just a natural growing thing, mine got that all the time and nothing ever became of it except to look like they had flowing hair ;)
valerie
09-10-2004, 6:35 PM
Prehaps the fins are being nipped at by the silver dollars. This could explain why they never seem to be growing if they are being constantly trimmed by the silver dollars. If you aren't having water quality problems and the fins dont' seem to be growing back then i would suspect the toerh fish in the tank.
CajunCC
09-10-2004, 10:08 PM
Interesting. I never suspected the silver dollars actually. Any time I watch them, they're very peaceful towards the angels. I've never seen any sign of aggression. I suppose they could be nipping fins at night though. I've had other fish get aggressive at night.
I'm conservative on stocking, having learned the hard way years ago. For me a 29 or 30-gallon tankis suitable for two angels, period, with maybe a trio of Otos if planted. Four silver dollars are too much for a 29. A standard pleco (gibbiceps, common, etc) is also too much for a 29 if it is more than a few months old. It is your tank, but to me that is not a good mix of fish and very, very overstocked.
CajunCC
09-11-2004, 3:24 PM
Well, for now, the fish are still fairly small. It may be a bit overstocked, but not too bad. Water conditions are good and overall fish health is excellent. When they grow some more, I'll definitely need a bigger tank, but I knew that going into this. Heh.
Will they have a chance at normal growth in that tank? Trade the silver dollars out, or the Angels, then you might have a chance.
I don't consider frayed fins excellent health myself. I'd consider it a serious situation in need of correction.