Fin rot or attacking Platy

[michelliot]

When checking out my tank tonite, I noticed that one or two of my smaller tetra sized fish (something cloud, if I remember correctly) have parts of their fins missing thus causing them to swim awkwardly. While observing for a while I witnessed the lone platy, almost twice their size, constantly harrassing these and the other smaller fish. I can't say whether the pecking cause the absence of fin tissue or this is due to a disease.

Should I add a chemical remedy and/or isolate this nabbing platy? What products, if needed, should I look for?

Many thanks,

Elliot °¿°

All current fish have been in a twenty gallon nonplanted tank for a year with the last loss of swordtail about 2 months ago.

6 tetra types
one platy
2 bala sharks

 

[Leopardess]

well, if you saw the platy doing it, then it makes sense that its the culprit. Though its been in there awhile with no problems I assume.

Is it getting progressively worse? Does it look ripped or like its being eaten away across the length of the fin? Are the edges white, black, or fuzzy looking?

I would probably add some melafix, which has mild antibiotic properties, to ward off any secondary infections and to help heal the fin. You may also want to add a *little* salt to the tank, although I know nothing about mixing balas and salt......


Perhaps getting a platy to replace the dead one will give the other platy someone else to think about?