Loaches Online Forum

I have a 55 gallon tank that houses two weather (dojo) loaches. They are active as they should be, and the eat, swim and do everything else fine.

The only thing is, they seem to have nipped-up fins. I don't know why they do, but their dorsal and tail fins are a bit jagged.

I don't think this is fin ort, because it lacks the white stuff on the egdes of the fins, and there are no bloodspots or anything. Should I be worried or no?

-What are your current water parameters? ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte and pH?
-How long has the tank been set up for, and anything new added recently?
-How often are you doing water changes, and what % do you change?
-Have you witnessed any aggression from other species in the tank?
-Any sharp decor?

Answers to these questions may help us to figure out what may be happening. And of course if you can provide a photograph of the affected fins, this will help too.

Emma

The only sharp thing I have in my tank would be a medium-sized magma rock, which all of my loaches stay clear of usually.

My diamond tetras will nip at anything with longer fins if it gets too close.

pH, nitites, nitrates and parameters are all normal. pH being at about 7.0, ammonia is clear (just checked it) and nitrites are leveled.

I did a water change about two weeks ago for about 1/2 of the water in my tank (whoo, that was doozy).

I don't think it is fin rot, because the fins are not frayed, mushy-looking or discolored. They simply look like they are jaggedly cut with scissors.

Oh, and they are slowly growing back, too. That's the main reason why I don't see this as fin rot.

How long have you had them?

When I bought mine his dorsal was jagged too then over the course of three weeks it healed and looked brand new again.

I would assume it was an aggressive tank mate at the store. If you had them longer it may be another fish.

Yeah, if it's anything it's just fin-nipping. My loaches enjoy swimming up into the plants on occasion, and so my tetras must get their licks then.