clown fin splits cause long term damage?

[jtf74]

My large maroon female isn't aggressive but my flame likes to chase everything. They two are almost the same size maybe the clown is a little longer. I've seen the angel swim beside her close to her nems and challenge her but never seen them actually fight. The clown though ever since I got the flame a year ago has had 4 or 5 split fins which I assume is the flames doing. It always heals in a few days but I wonder if that may cause problems long term? I had thought this problem would have been between the flame and my smaller bicolor but no issues with them so I really don't want to have to rehome the flame.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

My large maroon female isn't aggressive but my flame likes to chase everything. They two are almost the same size maybe the clown is a little longer. I've seen the angel swim beside her close to her nems and challenge her but never seen them actually fight. The clown though ever since I got the flame a year ago has had 4 or 5 split fins which I assume is the flames doing. It always heals in a few days but I wonder if that may cause problems long term? I had thought this problem would have been between the flame and my smaller bicolor but no issues with them so I really don't want to have to rehome the flame.

Tough to say; every split fin has a *chance* to become infected, but they usually heal on their own. Then, if the split goes all the way back to the body, and that tissue there is damaged, the split may never grow back together. The older the fish, the more likely it is that will happen.

Jay

 

[jtf74]

Thanks for the info. May consider a smaller tank setup for the flame then.