Bristlenose: Fin Rot or Battle Scars?

[mr_walker]

I have 3 BN catfish in my tank, and this is the smallest of them (4.5cm). The two females appear to be progressively missing chunks from their fins. It's not a gradual disappearance, which makes me think there's a bit of rumbling going on in the tank overnight.

Pic attached - what's the verdict: fin rot or battle scars? It's not showing, but the dorsal fin is in good condition.

Cheers,

Walker

P.S. And yes, I'm battling a minor BBA issue at the moment http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/images/smilies/icon_redface.gif

[Mick John]

IMO I think that it's another fish eating him alive.:eek: Are all the other occupants ok? There might be a bully amoungst them or just one hungry fish!

[wombat1100]

I would have to agree, what are the other tankmates?you dont have a red tail black shark in that tank do you?

[mr_walker]

Hmmm - tankmates are a bunch of Tetras (Ember, Neon, Rummynose, Black phantom), 3 medium size Angels, 4 Bolivian Rams and a couple of SAE's.

There's plenty of hidey holes with a large piece of driftwood and a pile of river stones, and the substrate is fluorite.

Other than the BN's chasing each other occasionally, I haven't seen anything else having a go at them.

I just noticed the male is also missing a chunk from his tail as well. :confused:

[Mick John]

Rams can get a bit nippy but by judging on the size of the bites I'd put my money on the Angels. They are quite Territorial and like you stated, it's probably happening at night. Just out of curiousity how big is your tank? And how much are you feeding them? Although as I said Angels can be temperamental Fish regardless.

[mr_walker]

Tank is a 4ft Aqua One AquaGrande 120 - 285 litres. Tested my water last night: PH 7.2, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5-10, KH 3 (54ppm), GH 9 (161ppm). That's about the standard readings for my tank.

Before last Thursday I only had one Ram in the tank, and he's pretty feisty. I have seen him have a go at the Angels during the day, but he always steered clear of the BN's. The fin damage was already present before I added the other 3 Rams.

With feeding - if anything I probably feed a bit more than required, so I don't think the Angels would be hungry very often (seeing as they're greedy buggers and scoff a lot of the food as soon as it hits the surface) :D I give the BN's a good chunk of lightly boiled zucchini about once a week, which they seem to like.

I'm going to keep my photos as a record and see if the damage is getting better or worse in a week or so.

[Mick John]

There's nothing wrong with the Tank size then. It could be that the Angels just haven't got used to the Bristlenoses. Fingers crossed they grow out of this nipping otherwise this will inevitably lead to their death. Could the Zucchini be bringing the Catfish out in the open and as they are feeding the Angels are getting confused as to what to eat? Just a thought? I remember my Discus occasionally nipping a Bristlenose as they were trying out the Zucchini whilst the Catfish were grazing on it. Mind you the Discus didn't like it too much but they were always jealous of the Catfish who did. :D Personally I'd be feeding my Bristlenoses as much as any other fish. Unless you always have an ubundance of Algae growing all the time. Not necessarily Zucchini everytime though. Just a Vege Wafer or something. Good Luck Mate.:)

[cichlidboy]

bristlenose are impossible to kill.
I remember accidentally breaking off a pectoral fin and IT GREW BACK!
wierd as....

[Alasse]

I have 9 angels in my tank with 10 BN of varying sizes, they do not touch them at all. The BN themselves do fight though.

! had a pair in a 2ft and added another female, the resident female took exception and beat the living daylights out of the newcomer, her fins were shredded and marks all over her. So i'd say if you have other BN in the tank it will most likely be them damaging each other. Their cheek spikes are brutal.

[mr_walker]

I have 9 angels in my tank with 10 BN of varying sizes, they do not touch them at all. The BN themselves do fight though.

! had a pair in a 2ft and added another female, the resident female took exception and beat the living daylights out of the newcomer, her fins were shredded and marks all over her. So i'd say if you have other BN in the tank it will most likely be them damaging each other. Their cheek spikes are brutal.

Aaah - that could be it.

Cheers!

[wombat1100]

I caught my 8cm bristlenose kickin the crap out of my 30cm pleco the other night, she was going nuts on the pleco and the pleco just copped it, was like watching a little bird beating up a big crow or something!!!