Convict Tang Pectoral Fins Issue

[adespain81]

I purchased this convict from my LFS about two weeks ago. I noticed today his pectoral fins look nipped. I have 2 clowns, 1 blue green chromes, and a cleaner shrimp. None of the fish are aggressive with him and he appears to be the alpha. Any ideas?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I purchased this convict from my LFS about two weeks ago. I noticed today his pectoral fins look nipped. I have 2 clowns, 1 blue green chromes, and a cleaner shrimp. None of the fish are aggressive with him and he appears to be the alpha. Any ideas?

Appears to be fin rot over fin ray issue and best addressed using seachem Kanaplex in a separate tank and assure good water quality as I see in background may be Cyano bacteria often associated with elevated Nitrate levels
Provide also adequate diet

 

[adespain81]

Appears to be fin rot over fin ray issue and best addressed using seachem Kanaplex in a separate tank and assure good water quality as I see in background may be Cyano bacteria often associated with elevated Nitrate levels
Provide also adequate diet

1. I don't have a separate tank. What can I do?
2. None of my other fish have tgus issue.
3. Which image do you see the Cyano? The last image is macro algae.

 

[vetteguy53081]

1. I don't have a separate tank. What can I do?
2. None of my other fish have tgus issue.
3. Which image do you see the Cyano? The last image is macro algae.

Looking again, oh yeah- Macroalgae. You can use Ruby Rally Pro which is reef safe but will take much longer.
You will want to consider a quarantine tank moving forward and for any new additions. A quarantine tank can be as simple as a tank from a second hand store or a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

 

[adespain81]

Looking again, oh yeah- Macroalgae. You can use Ruby Rally Pro which is reef safe but will take much longer.
You will want to consider a quarantine tank moving forward and for any new additions. A quarantine tank can be as simple as a tank from a second hand store or a starter kit from Walmart which most of the needed essentials.

Is it normal or common for one fish to get it but not the others?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is it normal or common for one fish to get it but not the others?

Yes one fish only can acquire it.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Is the tail fin also affected?
What size tank is it in?

In addition to the fin issue, the tang is pretty skinny. Convicts can be difficult to accustom to captivity if they are not in really good shape.....

Jay

 

[adespain81]

No. The tail fin is not affected. I did notice my clowns chasing him last night. Didn't see them nip him though.

He has been picky about where he eats. I have pellets, mysis, and nori sheets.

32 gallon bio cube.

 

[exnisstech]

Can't help with the fins. Some convicts coming in the last couple of years have not done well after being purchased not sure if it's capture methods are what. IMO your tank is too small. My convict is in a 84x30x25 tank. Not saying they can't be kept in smaller tanks but I don't thing they are suited to be housed in a biocube. Mine spends the day cruising around the entire tank grazing on the rocks and glass. They should be kept in tanks that are established so they can graze all day. Again JMO.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

No. The tail fin is not affected. I did notice my clowns chasing him last night. Didn't see them nip him though.

He has been picky about where he eats. I have pellets, mysis, and nori sheets.

32 gallon bio cube.

Clownfish are really sly about their aggression - they often will be on their best behavior when you are in the room watching them (grin).

The tank size is problematic, the clownfish may develop territory that essentially extends beyond the tank walls, giving the tang less room to get away.

Also, convicts are a surge zone species that are accustomed to lots of open water swimming space - a biocube may end up being too restraining for it.

Jay

 

[adespain81]

Clownfish are really sly about their aggression - they often will be on their best behavior when you are in the room watching them (grin).

The tank size is problematic, the clownfish may develop territory that essentially extends beyond the tank walls, giving the tang less room to get away.

Also, convicts are a surge zone species that are accustomed to lots of open water swimming space - a biocube may end up being too restraining for it.

Jay

So the pectoral fins issue is because the tank is too small?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

So the pectoral fins issue is because the tank is too small?

Probably not the sole issue, but abrasion can’t be ruled out.