Albino cory with shredded/broken fins

Question
Purchased three albino corys.  After introducing them to our tank, I noticed the smallest Cory has shredded fin.  She can swim well enough but is not as active as the other two.  I don't recall seeing any damage at the petstore so could this be from the trip home and is there a chance they will grow back and it will survive?

Answer
Hi Nathan,

I just went through this, myself.  He's got fin rot.  Mine didn't show any signs of bacteria either, but his fins kept getting shorter and shorter.  Long story short: get him in saltwater asap.

Put him in a hospital tank, with 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon.  Warm it to 80 degrees and let him play in there for the next week or so.  Keep an eye on tankmates.  It can be contagious.

If you don't have inverts or plants, you can dose the main tank with the salt at a rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon today, then adding another 1tsp per gallon tomorrow.  Tuesday, drain out 25% of the water and replace it with non-salt water.  Then, in another week, another 25%, leaving the oritinal ratio of 1 tsp per gallon left for good fish-keeping precautions.  Some people choose to always use 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon for tropical fish, however, if you have any loaches, they can be very sensitive to it.

The fins will come back, yes, and he may survive, but you have to treat him.  

Good luck and happy fish-keeping.

Happy holidays!

Renee