Question
Bad Tail
My fish are acting very strange. I had them in separate tanks with different foods for the past three weeks for science class, and now they are all in the same tank. One of them and the sucker fish have already died, and I don't know why. Their tank is about ten gallons, and currently holds five feeder fish of about five centimeters tops. they have rocks on the bottom, a rock with a whole, a shell, and two fake plants. I recently noticed that one of their tails has become shredded and it looks like a very large chunk came off, leaving a new tail. I have attached a picture of it. I am worried that one or more of them are cannibals,or if they got caught on a decoration. A few of them are also changing colors, and I don't know if that has something to do with it. I clean their tank about every four days because it doesn't get very bad. Please let me know what is wrong with them or what I am doing wrong.
I had asked the same question and messed up my units, axcidently saying inches instead of centimeters.
AnswerHi Kristen,
From the picture you provided. It looks like a goldfish that has been eaten on by another fish, the skin being pulled off the tail.
Sometimes suckerfish will do this to fish by rasping on them with their mouths which really are intended for algae grazing but if they can't find algae or vegetable matter to eat they will target the fish. However, I don't know when this happened and if you found this suddenly after the sucker fish had already died.
Poor water quality and/or harmful chemicals could be responsible as well. Its very good that you clean their aquarium every four days. But make sure you never use soap or add any chemicals while cleaning the tank. Only use water conditioner for the new water you are putting in. Not that I'm saying this is the problem, but it never hurts to note about that.
The little goldfish's tail may have gotten caught at the filter intake (if a filter is used) or caught under decorations and him pulling away frantically could easy have skinned his poor tail.
I would take a little consideration into some of these things I've mentioned here. The best thing I can recommend now is continue caring for the goldfish as best you can.
www.thegab.org offers some really wonderful up-to-date goldfish care and disease info if you are interested.
I've never experienced goldfish becoming cannibals unless its the situation where "big fish eats little fish".... bullying may be possible but this kind of damage to the little guy is a bit extreme I'd say for that.
Best of luck and I do hope this helps!
Karen~
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