Faceless fish!

U

Urban Yakuza

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Apr 25, 2006
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I have had an established hexagonal tank about 18" square and 24" in height Communal tank for around 5-6 months with no fish changes, either deaths or new fish added.

I was alarmed yesterday to find one of my fishes, a fantail, although still alive with its entire mouth, face, up to eye level completely missing!!, I'm unsure whether it has been attacked or diseased, I have 2 tin foil barbs, around 4" long which have never really shown any intrests in the fish, and a guarami around the same size which is "Daddy" of the tank, being the oldest fish we have.

Also have, small 2x catfish, 2x swordtails, 1x glass cat, 3x unknown fantails?

All other fish in the tank seem fine, I have moved the tin foils into another tank, but I don't know why, my suspisions are the gourami, but I thought these were quite peaceful.
 
How odd. I mainly have cichlids only, but that mix doesn't sound the best to me, even if have been lucky up to this point. I'm sure someone will post with better information for you.

However, it may be helpful if you posted your pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.

Also, how large and how often are you doing water changes?

What kind of filtration system are you using?
 
I am not sure what would cause a missing face but some more experienced people might be able to help out better. You should check your water for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH (GH and KH if you have it) and post the results; people will need to know that info in order to help you.

Also, I thought that fantails required colder water than most other tropical fish and the fantails and the tin foil barbs get pretty big. I am not sure how many gallons your tank works out to but it might not be big enough for these fish, and stress might be part of the problem.

In anycase, if you think the fantail has a chance of surviving and shouldn't be euthanased you will need to ensure that water conditions are perfect and that there are no fish around to stress it. Perhaps the fantail should be moved to a hospital tank on it's own.
 
:eek:

Yikes ! I can't imagine how that fish is going to eat anything, but I'm with Darwin on not euthenizing it.....I always like to give the beggers a chance, no matter how slim.

Moving it over to a hospital tank that gets extra special attention in the water changing dept....would be a good idea. The best med in the world for fish is good clean water ! You may want to add some aquarium salt to that as well.

I'm betting on the gourami as the culprit as well....but who knows.. :huh:
 
That is a poor mix of fish in an undersized tank. I suggest you do some research about the fish you now own, decide whether you want a tropical or coldwater tank, and then remove the fish that do not fit the category you choose to stock under, and return those fish to the store.

Some fish will tolerate both temps. Fantail goldfish are not one of them. You probably have some type of tropical flesh eating bacteria or fungus that is especially lethal to your fantail. His immune system would be weak anyways if the tank is heated.

:thud: This is definitely a PBC & K situation. The problem is really with your stocking and knowledge, and until you stock responsibly your fishtank has little chance of success.

Post the gallon capacity of your tank and whether you plan tropical or coldwater if you would like stocking ideas appropriate to the tank size.
 
Personally I think it would be best euthanize the fish. With that much damage it's unlikely to live for long anyhow and is likely highly stressed and in a lot of pain.
 
In my experience gourami's are not peaceful by any means i had to isolate one that i later named killer...i think in her day she took out about 6 fish total...mean little punk..she died while i was in hawaii
 
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