Copperband Fins Anomalies. Need ID Please

[AJtheReefer]

I got this Copperband on Sunday from the LFS. She was eating at the LFS and looked fine.

The fish starter eating right away at home. I started feeding the Fish on Monday. I've been feeding PE Mysis and live black worms 3 times a day since. The Copperband looks healthy and active.

Here is a description of the condition on the fins:
1) There is a small growth on the back fin (1st red circle from right to left). No red coloration. It looks gray (neutral coloring).

2) The lower fin has some small pieces missing, there are small black marks lines around the missing pieces. I think the fins are growing back, but I'm not 100% sure. Will monitor closely. But I think the amount of black has increased slightly.

Please help me identify the condition.

Thanks in advance!

 

[TerryB]

The black outline may indicate a vibrio bacterial infection that utilizes iron in its metabolism. If the fins are healing then I would probably just make a water change and leave it alone. The small growth may be a bit of lymphocystis. Both may improve with just good water quality, low stress and a varied diet.

The worms are a good idea with a copperband. Hikari has frozen black worms. Try to expand the diet. If you can get the fish to eat frozen Pacifica plankton that would be great. They should get tiny pieces of seafood such as shrimp and scallops to.

Terry B

 

[AJtheReefer]

Terry B
Thank you so much for the help.

My tank lights just came on, and the fins are definitely growing. The black outline is there, but the fins are getting fuller. I even see the small white tips growing on the fins, which were missing before.

I will perform a water change this weekend, and keep a close eye on water quality.

I have Hikari Blood Worms. I don't think I've ever seen Hikari Black Worms?

In addition, the fish did eat SF Bay Angela/Bttfly frozen food once, but there is no interest anymore. However, the fish is hooked to the PE Mysis and live worms. I tried feeding fresh clams, but no luck. Will try the scallops and the Pacifica plankton.

 

[TerryB]

That is good news. Maybe it is blood worms instead of black worms. I have kept copperbands for many years and I think a couple of keys points is feeding them worms and feeding the copperband at least twice a day. Try some tiny pieces of uncokked prawns and some salad shrimp.

Terry B

 

[AJtheReefer]

Just to report that the copperband is pretty much recovered. I still see a little bit of outline on one of his ventral fins.

Thanks for the help!