AboutAmber Worman Expertise I specialize in Gouramis, Black Moors, Fantail goldfish, and Bettas. I can answer questions about fish behavior, tank mates, diseases, and living conditions. I do not have much experience with breeding these types of fish, however.
Experience Fish are my passion - I have raised these types of fish for as long as I can remember. I am a college student at Purdue University where I have a major in Biology and a position as a lab technician in a fish laboratory.
Question I have a rather large calico ryukin that had his fins nipped pretty badly by a smaller fish. I took him out of the tank and isolated him from the other fish. His tails were so pretty and now they are completely tattered. Is there something I can do to help them repair?
Answer Hello Peggi-
As long as there is no fin rot (black, decayed edges around the fins) you can easily help the fins regrow by dosing with Melafix and aquarium salt. The salt will help prevent infection, and the Melafix will promote fin regrowth. As long as the base of the fin is intact, there is a chance for full regrowth, though the color of the fins will always look different than the original fin. This treatment could take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the damage, so it may be easier to remove the small fish and return the ryukin to the original tank (to prevent stress in the ryukin.)
