I have a 5-6 inch female comet that thrashes around a lot and gets panicked easily if startled by other fish. I noticed a few weeks ago what I thought might be parasites on her tail on the top part near the middle, then I noticed last night it was much worse and oddly enough the tail was flapping at 90 degree angles as she swam and she seemed in a lot of pain. Looking more closely after netting her, the things I noticed before were from the bone in the fin poking out through the tail. I didn't even know they had bones in the actual tail but looking online this does seem to be the case. I found a site that seemed like a serious place and they suggested for a broken fin bone to cut off the fin past the broken bone. Now this thing is flapping around like crazy, she is probably the most active fish I've ever seen so it's doubtful it will just get better on its own. However it's a lot of fin to lose. If I angle it along the grain of the fins it will lose 1/4 of the surface area of the fin. That seems like a lot but then I've seen some of my other fish get basically every single fin shredded off and come back from it, but that was african cichlids not a goldfish like her with these huge fins. So, if I cut this off will it grow back? If I don't cut it off will it ever grow out properly again or will that broken bone flap always be causing problems? With her activity level it's going to be constantly torn open if I do nothing. Also, the site suggested that they would not feel it, but since she is a big fish and this is a more serious case is there any sort of pain relief available?
Amputate broken fin?
- Thread starter SickBum
- Start date
A picture would help. I wouldnt advise cutting off any fins, because then they could get bacterial infections in the wounds and its just not worth it in the long run. But please post a picture
I don't believe that cut bone will grow back on a fish, but flesh will heal around it. Do post a picture, please, so that someone might be better able to advise what to do. I am disinclined to think amputation is a good option, however.
I have a koi that got into a terrible accident in a pond in the greenhouse where I work. I never in a million years thought he'd live, so I took him home to what I thought would be at least a comfortable place to pass away, but after the initial shock to his system and some really disturbing and stressful days, he somehow healed up and today he is happy and healthy in spite of his lack of tail. He just wiggles his stump to get around, and it doesn't seem to really slow him down too much. He's the friendliest fish in my pond, and I think daily how lucky I am that I didn't give up on him. I would say, make sure your fish has super clean water and a peaceful place to heal. Perhaps consider a solitary tank (I used a big rubbermaid container for my koi because I had to improvise quickly) for a rest period, and cover the sides with black garbage bags to give her a safe and stress-free environment. Even if the tail doesn't ever heal properly, fish are incredibly resilient.
It seems to have sort of resolved itself. Somehow the part past the bone break all flew off. When I say bone it is a bone or perhaps spine or cartiledge that extends from the base of the tail at the top and bottom to the tip of the tail. From anatomy pictures it seems the tail of a fish is full of little bones at least on a larger fish. Only that tip top area of the fin came off though so maybe it's better than cutting across the whole thing but I doubt I could have gotten her to hold still for precise surgery. There was already big punctures which is why I wanted to do something, a clean cut would be much better than big ragged holes that collect filth as she swims. Fish are pretty resilient it's true, really I just inherited this fish along with some others and expected them to be killed off by my other fish eventually if I couldn't find someone to give them to but goldfish (or anyway comets and standards) seem to be the hardiest and quickest fish around. Now she has grown a couple inches and I am kind of attached to her. I salted the tank a bit so probably she will be fine, but I will stick her outside in a big barrel and medicate if she develops problems. Hopefully the fin will grow back normal but who knows for sure, she seems to be getting around fine.