Frayed and shredded fins on zebras - prespawn fights?

INXS · Post by **INXS** » 22 May 2004, 12:54

I have noticed several of my hypancistrus zebra having trimmed taifins and some even bloodied pelvic fintips. I don't see much fighting during the day though they do seem a bit territorial.

I wan't to correcct this problem, do I :
- do a number of waterchanges , hoping that fresh water will help heal them up.
-add melafix
-add salt
-add more caves to hopefully lessen the terratorial clashes
-add some bacterial remedy ? - I have never had luck when treating with antibiotics so I would prefer not to.

As it is now they live in a 30g with 3 spawning caves (6 zebras and nothing else) and a piece of driftwood .
One cave has a male just about glued to it - almost never leaves (the scraped up sides and bloodied pelvics) - a female comes to visit very often but he wedges himself deep inside the cave and won't let her get to the end.
Another has one living in it 50% of the time rarely has visitors.
3rd cave is behind the driftwood and just has an occasional zebra checking it out - no real tennant.
There are 2 sometimes 3 living under the stump of wood where they have dug small tunnels and one likes to pearch on top of the driftwood - that is the one (male) with the most damage to the tail.

Thanks

doctorzeb · Post by **doctorzeb** » 24 May 2004, 09:27

hi INXS

What size of tank are they in. It does sound like territorial squabbles. I ouwld suggest you keep up the water changes just now, and possible put in some more places to hide, seperating out the territories slightly. I've had a similar problem with one of my females, spent moths thinking she had some sort of strange fin eating disorder that would heal up in a hospital tank and then just reappear over the space of a week. Turns out it was the dominant mael. Made spaces for her to hide where the male will have trouble fitting and she's doing far better.

I would steer clear of the salt and melafix for now.

Cheers and good luck

rob

INXS · Post by **INXS** » 24 May 2004, 10:34

Thanks DrZeb,
that is pretty much what I thought.

They are in a 30 gal.

I thought that 3 caves and a root would be enough caves but apparantly they need at least one per fish so they each have their own home when not breeding, also there are some spots that don't appear very favorable zebra realestate

Does that sound about right?

I will definitly add more caves and boundries.

It is a bit frustrating as they are eating really well, looking nice and fat , even visiting eachothers caves but no spawning yet

doctorzeb · Post by **doctorzeb** » 24 May 2004, 10:42

Keep trying mate......thy're fussy little guys.

Try thick slate etc, to create cervices and boundaries. make sure the edges aren't too sharp.

good luck

rob