What steps to take with columbian sharks that arrived with possible fintot

[daviem]

Hi, I Need some help I purchased two columbian sharks online and they arrived yesterday with a slight white patch on the back of their dorsal fins today it has gotten worse so I’m worried it’s finrot, what steps should I take, the water is 26-26.3 Celsius the ph is 7.8 near zero ammonia or nitries/nitrates. The place I bought them from had them in freshwater but over 4-5 hours I acclimated them to brackish water from the aquarium salinity 1.005 they’re still very small and the only inhabitants in the aquarium.

[Viktor Jarikov]

Welcome to the Planet!

It doesn't look like any disease to me, nor fin rot. Fin rot leads to inflammation and reddening, etc.

When I look through the Cat-eLog photos, I see things similar to what you are pointing out in your photos, lower on the dorsal rear edge:

https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... ge_id=4415
https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... ge_id=4416
https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... ge_id=4774
https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... age_id=191

They are called many names, among them is the white-tipped shark catfish because of the white bands decorating the backs of their fins.

Regrettably they are transitory.

Also, these fish are some of the hardest to raise and keep as they require a transition to brackish water, then to marine water later in life, pretty soon actually, within 1 year, then second year. Among those who buy this fish, statistically, 999,999 people out of 1 million never do it and the fish die sooner or later from diseases, skin conditions, etc.

[Bas Pels]

The fins loke more like attacked by fungus, and hey presto fungus cannot withstand salt.

So having them in 5 % salt is way more than needed for the fins, but I would assume the fish will enjoy it.

Good luck raising them - I did read they are hard to raise

[daviem]

Welcome to the Planet!

It doesn't look like any disease to me, nor fin rot. Fin rot leads to inflammation and reddening, etc.

When I look through the Cat-eLog photos, I see things similar to what you are pointing out in your photos, lower on the dorsal rear edge:

https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... ge_id=4415
https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... ge_id=4416
https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... ge_id=4774
https://www.planetcatfish.com/common/im ... age_id=191

They are called many names, among them is the white-tipped shark catfish because of the white bands decorating the backs of their fins.

Regrettably they are transitory.

Also, these fish are some of the hardest to raise and keep as they require a transition to brackish water, then to marine water later in life, pretty soon actually, within 1 year, then second year. Among those who buy this fish, statistically, 999,999 people out of 1 million never do it and the fish die sooner or later from diseases, skin conditions, etc.

Thanks for the help and links their fins do look similar and it’s in the exact spot but theirs a bit more white on them and it’s like a couple of mm deep. I will try and get clearer pictures.

[daviem]

The fins loke more like attacked by fungus, and hey presto fungus cannot withstand salt.

So having them in 5 % salt is way more than needed for the fins, but I would assume the fish will enjoy it.

Good luck raising them - I did read they are hard to raise

Thanks, they are the only ones in the aquarium, are you saying that if it’s fungus the salt should make it go that’s why it’s flaring up? Because I don’t know if I need to start anti fin rot treatment.

[Bas Pels]

If it gets red, the water does not help, and therefore it is not fungus. If it is still white, but it grew, than this growth can be the result of rehousing the fish - such a rehousing delivers stress, and stress is bad for one's immunity.

As long as it stays white, I would wait a few days. By Sunday you should see some improvement.

[Viktor Jarikov]

It's suspicious that it'd be in the same spot but if it is fuzzy, it could be the fungus.

I agree with Bas's statements.

Again, if it is not red, no yellow, no puss, no dead tissue, it is not fin rot. In my limited understanding anyway.

I'd give the fish time to get calm and make sure there are no stress factors (perfect water, zero ammonia by a liquid test kit, zero nitrite, low light, plenty of aeration, etc.) and see if it goes away on its own, that is, if this is not a part of natural coloration.

[daviem]

Ok thanks I appreciate the help I will just monitor the water wait and see what happens.