swordtails

Question
QUESTION: hello

I have a 60 gallon community tank...and i do partial water changes every week. I noticed one of my swordtails schales looks like they're comin off...they are white lookin. it doesnt look like a fungus, it jus looks like they're coming off...i was wondering wut u think it could be?? please get back to me when you can thank you

ANSWER: Hi!
If the swordtail's skin doesn't look fuzzy or stringy its not a fungus hopefully. Scale-loss is usually due to fish fighting or rough-housing. Swordtails can get into conflicts a lot, especially two males. The scales will grow back and hopefully there won't be anymore damage to the swordtail.

Best of luck!
Karen~

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks karen

she's a female...and it looks like a few spots of scales look loose. her skin doesnt look stringy or fuzzy so i kno its not fungus....but ya its jus the scales,,,so u think the fish are bein rough with her? ya its odd cause the other ones dont have it...jus her. as long as its nothin contagious we're good!

Answer
Hey there,
Female swordtails can be get pretty bashed up if there are males in the tank or very dominate females. If the damage is mostly on her flanks this would definitely signal the typical "nipping" that males do during 'courtship'

I don't think its anything bad or contagious. If she acts normal then all should be well.

I hope she heals and doesn't get hurt again!
Karen~