Gatito Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 I am new to these forums and was going to wait until i had a great photo of my red male fighting fish, Enzo, before i posted to say hi. But yesterday i noticed Enzo's beautiful long tail was a little bit ragged, like he'd caught it on something (he is the only fish in his tank), though i saw no evidence of that anywhere else in the tank. And now, i came home from work today and he has 3 or 4 of what look like white fuzzy balls, tiny things, on random spots on his ragged tail. Thought it may just be his tail healing up from however he lost some of it and got it ragged, but as it's in what looks like tiny balls of fluff, i was worried it may be some kind of infection or fungal infection!! Help! Am very worried, have had him about 3 weeks, he's 6-8 months old and such a charachter. He's still acting his usual sparky self, coming up to the top of his tank when i approach and waiting to be fed. So he's still spunky and alert, but i'm worried about those little fluffy things....... Any input at all would be much appreciated...... On a lighter note, a few days ago i picked up 6 little juvenile fighters. They range from 1 to 1.5cm, and are colouring up with bright blues and aqua, so i'm excited about watching them mature (they're in a separate tank to Enzo of course). But yeah, i'm going to do some research and see if i can find out what's wrong with Enzo, in the meantime i hope someone can shed a little light on this, so i can fix it, aaarrgghh, worried.... :-? Thanks everyone Regards, Jo P.S. Ummmm, if it helps - his tank has only smooth stones, a big smooth flat rock, and a fake plant, maybe if he did rip his tail it may have been on that? Haven't been able to go grab some real plants for him yet... But yeah, let me know if i can tell u guys anything esle that could help you help me help Enzo...... ................i worry too much....... ......or do i?......... ..... .......... ..... .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Sounds like it may be a fungus, how big is the tank & how long has it been setup? How often do you do water changes and what sort of filtration are you using? Do you have Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate test kits? You could try using some melafix but i'm picking it's water conditions that have caused the fungus to start in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Tank is about 30-40cm high, 30cm wide and about 20 deep, had it set up a few days before i got the fish, so nearly a month - tail started getting ragged and disappearing in last few days. Have not changed water yet, just a filter tray under the stones on tank bottom, do not have any test kits, was not aware i should have :oops: Melafix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Looked on the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals website, It sounds like either fin/tail rot or fish fungus, maybe i've been overfeeding and it's tainted the water? I'll call Hollywood fish farm tomorrow and see if they can help, and will get to a store tomorrow also, maybe they'll know. What should i try first, and how long before it should help? Oh man, how will i know? I think it's fish fungus - symptoms of white growths on fin or body is an accurate description of Enzo's tail, where the symptoms for tail rot has the ragged fin, but doesn't mention the spots, just says may be white around tail edges...... The site said to use PimaFix or Fungus Cure for fish fungus. Course of action asap tomorrow - what do u think i should go for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 If you search on this site about cycling you will see what i mean about Ammonia etc, i would do a 25% water change daily for the next 2-3 days as i suspect there is a build up of either Ammonia or Nitrite which is stressing the fish resulting in the fungus. Weekly or fortnightly water changes are essential to keep water parameters down to tolerable levels. Basically the fish waste turns into Ammonia (highly poisonous to fish even at low concentrations), your filter will slowly grow bacteria that will convert the Ammonia into Nitrite (quite poisonous to fish at low concentrations) and another form of bacteria in your filter will then convert the Nitrite into Nitrate (only dangerous at higher concentrations). The water changes are to dilute the Nitrates in the tank but it can take quite a while for the filter completly cycle. I would do a 25% water change twice a week for a couple more weeks after the initial daily changes to keep the water conditions good. A good fish shop will be able to sell you some Melafix or similar to help fix the fungus. A good idea is to join one of the clubs in Auckland, they are full of knowledgable people that are willing to help and membership gets you a 10% discount at some LFS (Local Fish Shops). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Hollywood is a good shop, i would try the Pimafix and definetly the water changes, Hollywood are one of the sponsors for Auckland Fishkeepers Association and are one of the ones that will give 10% off to members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 9, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Awesome, will do and will let u know how it goes fingers crossed!!! THANKYOU!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Just a clarification here - membership to this forum does not make you a member of the FNZAS and able to claim our discounts. To belong to the FNZAS you must join an affiliated club, like Auckland Fishkeepers Assoc., and pay membership fees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 A good idea is to join one of the clubs in Auckland, they are full of knowledgable people that are willing to help and membership gets you a 10% discount at some LFS (Local Fish Shops). Thats what i said LOL :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatito Posted January 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2006 Yeah yeah! :bounce: This may be a bit premature, but I got rid of the fake plant and got some real ones, and currently treating Enzo with Melafix - and already his white fluffy spots are gonnnneeee... and the edges of the tail aren't looking as weird and fragile as they were. This whole time his mood hasn't changed a bit - still spunky and active, but now he's looking better as well. Fingers crossed that i'm spot on and he'll be right as rain soon. Then it's just a matter of waiting for his beautiful tail to grow back to its former glory. Will post if there's anything to add, but looks like it's going to be a happy ending, thanks so much for the advice, i wasn't aware water changes were as often as once a week! It's been a valued lesson . Thanks again!! Regards, Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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