Question
Angelfish
Hello Again,
On January 20, 2009 I corresponded with you about possible fin rot on my angelfish. At the time I had her in a 14 gallon tank with a constant PH of 7.0 and No Ammonia, No Nitrites. I stopped medicating and feed her as you suggested, etc. It is now April and I still have the same problem with her tail fin rays and lower fin rays. Four days ago I moved her into her own 29 gallon tank to give her more room. I noticed prior to moving her the same white spots on fin rays and treated once with jungle fungus, I also noticed prior to her move into the new tank her closing and opening of tail fin (clammping?) and sometimes shaking of tail fin. In new tank after the first night the PH went from 7.0 to 6.4. I also had this same problem in a 10 gallon quarantine tank where the ph went from 7.0 to 6.0 in two days. So this would not happen again, I have used Seachem Neutralizer to put it at a constant 7.0 and keep it from dropping below 6.0. The PH has maintained the 7.0 for four days, and should do so for a month, as stated in directions. Of course, I did not want to mess with the PH, but I figured a continual drop every day would stress her more than using the seachem neutralizer. I will, of course, check it daily. I used three old filters so I already have the bacteria in new tank and have no ammonia, no nitrites, and a temp of 80. Her flesh still has not grown back on tail fin, she does not scrap or scratch on any of the objects or subtrate. The clammping has been going on for weeks, she does not keep tail closed all the time, just opens it and closes it often. I recently noticed the flicking of tail fin. Picture attached shows white spots, these are not on the tank glass, but actually centimeters in from the tip of her black fin rays. You will notice the white tips on the clear fin rays. What is this? Is this her fin rays trying to grow back. If so, then why would the white spots not be on the ends of the black fin rays, but centimeters in. Also, fin rays seem to drop off right where the spots are located on the black rays, after a few days. As you already know, I have treated her with Jungle Fungas, Kanamyacin, Quick Cure, basically everything except the Tetracycline. Spots keep coming back, fin rays don't grow new flesh. I do not want to kill the bacteria in my new tank and just don't know what to do for her any more. I moved her to the bigger tank because I had read the clammping can be from stress, and thought she would be happier with the larger area to swim in, to no avail, tail still opening and closing, spots still appearing. I let this go without medication for two months, prior to using the jungle fungas one more time, prior to move into new tank. Nothing has changed, keeps getting these white spots, fin rays keep dropping off. If this was ICK, it would have spread to the rest of her body, and killed her by now. If it was fungus, it should have spread by now to rest of body, or showed sprouting filaments. It only shows up on the exposed fin rays, as white spots. Please any suggestions. She still eats like a piggy, thank goodness. Should I try a bacteria medicated food? Thanks so very much. Wanny
AnswerHi Wanny,
I looked at your Angel, and I know you want me to tell you there is a cure for this, but actually the truth of the matter is there is nothing wrong with her. I have Angel Fish with these white spots too, and this is not ick, or a parasite, it is like us when we get a pimple, it comes, and goes. Sometimes it stays, and never goes away, it is just little growths, and they are harmless. The Angel is eating well, and swimming, I see no reason to be worried. Angels almost always have raggedy looking tails, this is normal, they don't have full tails like other fish. I don't see anything wrong with her. She seems to be a happy fish, and like I have told you, medication is not always good. Do your water changes, and she will go on to live a happy life. You are giving yourself so much worry, and you shouldn't. This Angel fish would have died a long time ago, if she had something wrong. If it was fungus or ich, you would see it spread all over her body. Fungus looks cottony, and is risen. It can be whitish or greyish. If it was parasites, you would know, and the Angel would not eat, and she would be rubbing herself on objects in the tank.
Just let her be, like I told you these little white dots are not ich, or parasites, they are nothing to worry about.
A drop in the PH is serious. To keep your PH always at the same level, buy crushed coral at your Pet Store. Using white nylon stockings, make a little bag, and put some coral in it. Start with a handful, and tie the bag. Put this in your filter, and check your water after 24 hours. If the PH is still too low, add a little more coral, wait another 24 hours, and check again, and so on. You must rise the PH slowly....very slowly. Adding seashells that you can find at your Dollar Store will also help keep the PH higher. Add a few to your tank. When you have reached the right PH, you will be okay, and won't have to buy products.
Another thing you can do is buy a little bottle of "PH down" if you are living close to a river. Some rocks will bring the PH Up..all you have to do is check the rock by putting drops of "PH down" on them..if the rock sizzles, it will bring your PH up if you put it into your tank. The same rule applies, you start with one rock, if the PH isn't high enough after 24 hours, find another one, and so on.
Wash the coral, seashells, and rocks well before adding to your tank.
Have a nice day Wanny, and don't worry about your Angel Fish, she is okay, and would have died a long time ago if there was something wrong with her.
Lynda
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