torn fins

[Chenay83]

I have platies, guppies,and mollies in my tank. No one nips or fights in my tank, but lately a new fish or two (7 total) has had their tail fins disappear over a span of 2-3 days. Then they die. What is going on? Is my filter too strong?

 

[librarygirl]

How long has the tank been set up? What are your water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate)?

 

[LyndaB]

Good questions above.

What size tank and please give a list of the exact fish in there.

Fin rot can quite often be attributed to poor water quality. How often do you do water changes?

 

[Chenay83]

The water is good. I do water changes every 2-3 days. Its been up and running for 7 months. Its a 20gal. I have
1 mollie
1 red wag
7 guppies
6 fry
I forgot to mention that this only happens to the new fish.

 

[LyndaB]

The water is good.

What are your actual readings? "Good" doesn't really tell us much.

Why do you do such frequent water changes? You've got a pretty small bioload there.

 

[Chenay83]

Everything was 0 but the nitrates which were I think 5. I change the water that much because that's what other owner keep telling me to do.

 

[LyndaB]

When you say it only happens to the new fish, how often do you add fish and do you quarantine them first? If not, how are you acclimating them to the tank?

 

[Chenay83]

I float them in the hospital tank for 15 minutes then leave them in there for about two days.

 

[LyndaB]

You'll get varying opinions on how long to quarantine. The average is 2 weeks.

Is your QT cycled? It could be that your new fish are dying from shock.

 

[Chenay83]

Well lesson learn. I am starting all over.

 

[LyndaB]

You lost the rest of your fish?

 

[Chenay83]

Afraid so I'm still at a lost for words.