Tropical Fish Forum
Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Health => Topic started by: fcmf on September 12, 2016, 07:39:57 PM
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I noticed, a fortnight ago when up close to the fishtank and examining the fish one by one, that a harlequin's pectoral and pelvic fin bases (the parts which join to the body) were actually red. Assuming it's the same fish, it looks the same now as it did a fortnight ago - not swollen but simply red (argh - '80s band not meant to spring to mind here) although he may have been involved in a scuffle as he now has a slight white mark on his mouth too as though he's injured it and dislodged a scale. Behaviour and eagerness for food is absolutely normal. Water quality is consistently 0 for ammonia and nitrite, and 20-25ppm for nitrate (pre- water change).
Presumably it's just a matter of "keep an eye on the situation"?
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Yes it is.
If the redness becomes blood red streaks in the fins themselves, that's septicaemia. But just at the base could be something as simple as the skin being a bit thinner there and the blood just showing through, especially if it's been like for a couple of weeks.
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I had a had a harlequin jump into my filter, came out with no fins, mouth damage and a scrape on its side - can't tell it apart from the others now except for the same scale on mouth thing so this might not fix itself but otherwise I just wanted to say how hardy a fish I have found them to be.
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Thanks, Sue - that's reassuring and helpful to know the distinction between this and septicaemia.
Wow, Matt - your harlequin certainly must be hardy to survive having no fins for a while!