Post by fishfever on Oct 12, 2009 19:45:29 GMT -5
I mentioned in my tank blog that I found a chunk of fin missing from one of my platys, a red wagtail. Yesterday I found another platy, a blue mickey mouse with a nearly identical chunk of tail fin missing. The reason I know this is fin nipping versus fin rot is the chunks missing are almost perfect rectangles, about 1/4" x 1/32" just above the middle of the tail fin in each case. The latest platy with the chunk of missing fin was hiding in a plant also which I've never seen her do. I guess whatever fish was doing this was biting the tail and when the surprised victim tried to swim away the chunk of tail came off.
The first occurrence of this was after introducing 3 Buenos Aires tetras (2 male, 1 female) into the tank. I know these can be semi-aggressive with slower moving fish and/or fish with large fins. We were hoping it would be one of the males so we could return him.. the female is very entertaining and an amazing swimmer. Well early this morning I came down to watch and all 3 of them were extremely active and somewhat hyper. They were chasing and engaging each other (and other fish when they got in the way). Then I noticed the female B.A. following platys and mollies, and a few times she took a swipe at their tail.
So I'm pretty sure I know who the culprit is now. After I fed them I didn't see her tail anyone else. I also put a veggie clip with a leafy green in the tank for her to chew on and she immediately starting taking big bites out of it. Later this evening we have witnessed her doing the same thing, following slower fish and taking aim at their tails. So we put her in a breeding box for now until we can figure out what to do.
Since it seemed she was nipping when she was hungry, I wonder if this might be the cause? I didn't see her nip after feeding and she ate very well. I could keep a green leafy vegetable (or maybe buy a cheap floating plant) in there for nibbling in between meals. Or is this something that is in-bred and not likely to go away? We'd love to keep her, but the nipping behavior is not going to be acceptable.
The first occurrence of this was after introducing 3 Buenos Aires tetras (2 male, 1 female) into the tank. I know these can be semi-aggressive with slower moving fish and/or fish with large fins. We were hoping it would be one of the males so we could return him.. the female is very entertaining and an amazing swimmer. Well early this morning I came down to watch and all 3 of them were extremely active and somewhat hyper. They were chasing and engaging each other (and other fish when they got in the way). Then I noticed the female B.A. following platys and mollies, and a few times she took a swipe at their tail.
So I'm pretty sure I know who the culprit is now. After I fed them I didn't see her tail anyone else. I also put a veggie clip with a leafy green in the tank for her to chew on and she immediately starting taking big bites out of it. Later this evening we have witnessed her doing the same thing, following slower fish and taking aim at their tails. So we put her in a breeding box for now until we can figure out what to do.Since it seemed she was nipping when she was hungry, I wonder if this might be the cause? I didn't see her nip after feeding and she ate very well. I could keep a green leafy vegetable (or maybe buy a cheap floating plant) in there for nibbling in between meals. Or is this something that is in-bred and not likely to go away? We'd love to keep her, but the nipping behavior is not going to be acceptable.
