tail rot

[hemicuda]

i recently purchased a fish from lfs (swalesi basslet) that had a split in the middle of its tail. i was assured it was only damage from a blenny that was added that day and not tail rot. i went against my gut feeling and purchased it anyway. within two days the tail was gone all the way to dorsal fin. it wasn't eating and just lying on its side in some caves. i didn't see it for a few days so i assumed it had died... but no! it comes during feeding and is eating quite well now.

i'm wondering if there is any chance of the tail growing back or is it going to be a stump forever?

 

[sandwi54]

what you're describing is a common disease known as fin rot. it is typically bacterial or virus infection, most commonly a result of poor water quality which lowers a fish's immune system.

however, if you are sure that the blenny's aggression caused the initial split in the caudal fin, then the basslet may just have gotten bacterial infection from the wound. there's nothing to worry about if the behavior is normal now, and the fin will grow back eventually after a few weeks (much like our skin).

 

[hemicuda]

thanks, forgot to add that the dorsal fin was split and has heeled. for the fishes sake i hope the tail will grow back.

 

[hemicuda]

over the weekend the fish died.

just wondering if there is the possibility that other fish in my tank might come down with fin rot or is this a mostly isolated disease to the infected fish?

all other fish have perfect fins at the moment.

thanks