Why do some cardinal tetras have white adipose fins?

[buzzkiller]

Well the title says it all. I noticed that 2 or 3 out of my 11 cardinal tetras kinda have a white fuzzy apidose fin. If you click the link you can see a picture with a cardinal tetra that has it. I just find it weird how some have it and some don't? Has anyone else noticed this in their cardinal tetras?

Cardinal Tetra - Paracheirodon axelrodi

 

[Delapool]

Hi, do you mean as something natural or unhealthy infection?

 

[buzzkiller]

I have no idea. They seem healthy and fine and what ever it is doesn't spread. It must be common too because just googling for cardinal tetra you can see a lot of pictures of them have it. I might try an experiment where I'll cut off the fin that's white and see how it regrows.

 

[Delapool]

If on the tip it should re-grow but may not solve the problem. If it is genetics or infection for example could just come back.

On mine I was always a little wary of white tips which suddenly appeared. It seemed to pre-date bacterial infection. I'm not sure if this was just coincidence.

 

[buzzkiller]

Well the thing is I doubt its parasites due to the fact it doesn't seem to be contagious. I would also rule out bacteria infection because one of my rasboras scraped his eye and got a little bit of cloudy eye. I dosed with melafix just to help and that seemed to do nothing. My guess would be a scar fungus or just genetics.

 

[Angela1108]

How is the nitrates in the tank? If I am away or something happens and I miss a water change if it gets between 40-80 it shows and a couple of my fish look a little scraggly.


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[buzzkiller]

Nitrate never gets above 5. Its heavily planted and I do a 50% WC every week.

 

[Angela1108]

Hmmm maybe it is just normal then. Mine don't have that but it is common in some pics. Maybe partly depends where they come from/stock


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[Delapool]

Might be to. Next lfs visit I'll check them out and see what the fins look like.

This should be a great excuse to visit the lfs's in the area for a few weeks I reckon