Ventral fins gone over night

Hello friends.

My name is Dexter and I'm new to this forum, and English is not my main language so forgive me for every foolish mistake I make.
Problem brought me here, and for some reason google didnt help like always. First of all I'd like to say that I find myself quite "newb" in aquaristics, even thou I had aquarium since I was 10 years old. 2.5-3 years ago my old angelfish died, and I went to local pet shop to buy new one, ended up buying 6 of tham, and after 3 years, only one has survived. Branko, he is very smart for a fish, and over the years was very healthy. This morning when I woke up, and started my morning routine by feeding the fishes, I've realised that Branko's ventral fins were not as long as they used to be, they are maybe 3cm shorter. I've been reading all day and I find this very strange, all other fishes I've googled got their ventral fin (not plural) chooped off during the transport, or damaged in aquarium by other fishes, and not a single case of both fins chooped off at the same height. I mean, its not that I mind even thou I liked his long fins, but I'm worried for his health, he is not swimming as good as he used to (maybe I'm over reacting it has only been a day, but you gotta understand me, I've had him for a long, long time, he is more like a family member than some random fish in a tank)

Before:


After:


I'm very sorry for poor camera quality.

Thank you for helping me in any way you can, and once again, I'm very sorry for every little foolish grammar mistake I have made.
Sincerly.
-Dexter

Hi Dexter,
Welcome to the forum.
Assuming you've checked water quality & that's OK, and that it's only the ventral fins affected, the most likely cause is aggression, either both angels have been fighting each other, or another tank resident has bitten them. What else do you have in the tank?

Hi there.

Thank you for answering in such a short time. No I haven't checked water quality and frankly have no idea how I could do that.

I don't think its agression, becouse I dont have second Angelfish, he is the only one in aquarium. Other than him, I have:
1 Black Molly
1 Corydoras Pydemaeus
1 Corydoras Paleatus (Had 3, 2 bigger ones, and 1 smaller one. 2 bigger ones died last month, they were constantly being attacked by Ancistrus)
1 Ancistrus (1 - 1.5 yrs old)
And, 1 Angelfish, from the picture above.

But I still don't belive the reason for his fins falling of is being attacked by some other fish, first of all, I would notice, and second if they were damaged, could it be possible that both were chooped off during the night, at the same height?

I dont have second Angelfish,

Ah, I thought there were two in the second photo, I now see it's a reflection!

I still don't belive the reason for his fins falling of is being attacked by some other fish, first of all, I would notice,

Unless you're watching them night & day, you can never be sure. Mollies have been known to pick on angels, as, occasionally, have bristlenoses (ancistrus). Bristle noses are active at night, and sometimes, I suspect, they mistake a sleeping angelfish for a nice rock.

If something frightened the angel, it's possible that it could have caught the fins on a rock or other decoration.

I haven't checked water quality and frankly have no idea how I could do that.

In the UK most aquarium stores stock test kits which you can buy, and many will carry out water tests for you, either for free, or for a small charge.
You really need to test for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH. I'd be most surprised if suitable test kits aren't available in Bosnia Herzegovina, but you could always order on line if not.

"In the UK most aquarium stores stock test kits which you can buy, and many will carry out water tests for you, either for free, or for a small charge. 
You really need to test for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH. I'd be most surprised if suitable test kits aren't available in Bosnia Herzegovina, but you could always order on line if not"

Well there are very few pet stores here, maybe like 4 in whole city, and to be honest, I've never even heard of "test kits", not many people have aquariums, and even less people care too much, when fish dies its always "Too old, nothing we could do". Are there any test kits to order via ebay? And,could it be possible that Ancistrus attack him, je was acting aggresive towards other cleaners?

Thank you once again for answering, have a nice day!
-Dexter

Hi, not wishing to tread on Rob's toes here but I'm here and so I'll answer your query. You can buy test kits from ebay or amazon. I'd recommend the API masterkit as that seems to be readily available in all countries.

I'd agree that the angel looks like it's been in a some kind of fight with another fish - whether the injury is from direct contact or from it's attempts to remove itself and getting caught up somewhere is irrelivent. The good news is it's fin should grow back in time - that is provided it doesn't get into a fight again.

In the meantime I would check your tank ornaments for any sharp edges and remove anthing that could cause injury. I would also keep a close eye on the other fish and see if you can spot any aggressive behaviour towards the angel and be ready to remove and isolate any fish displaying aggression towards it.

There is a product called Melafix that can be used to help repair fins etc but I have found clean water and time works just as well. It is entirely up to you if you want to try getting hold of Melafix (also made by the API company)

In the past when I've had problems with ancistrus attacking angels, it's been because they're breeding, the fact that he was acting aggressively towards other cleaners, might suggest that he was defending eggs or young.

Well it would be strange for tham to lay eggs, becouse there is only one of each. I think he was attacking tham becouse both of tham were males. Can anyone explain me the difference between male and female angelfishes, ancistrus, and cleaners?

hello again

Sexing angelfish can be very difficult as unless they are in breeding mode it is difficult to know which is which. In your case as you only have one angel it would be pointless to attempt to sex it.

As to the ancistrus. A male ancistrus will have long tenticles over his head and nose - you often hear of them being called a bristlenose catfish for this reason. This is my male ancistrus



Having two male ancistrus can lead to fights once they mature. A female ancistrus will have a smooth nose and no tenticles.


I'm not sure what you are meaning by 'cleaners'. If you are meaning your corydora's they are not cleaner fish and as a species they are known to be one of the most peaceful fish ever. I have a large amount of corydora's in my tank and I have never seen any aggression at all from any of them. They are generally too shy for that


Hope that helps

Unfortunately the settings have cut off the nose of the ancistrus showing the bristles. Perhaps you are able to edit it for me Rob? I don't know how

Unfortunately the settings have cut off the nose of the ancistrus showing the bristles.

I presume you're using a mobile or tablet, it looks fine on a pc.
Male ancistrus might be guarding territory with a view to breeding. As to sexing "cleaners", it depends what fish you're talking about, a photo would help.

Well in my contury they're called "Cistaci" that in rough translation means "cleaners". I am talking about Corydoras Paleatus. Thank you all your replies have been very useful.

I forgot to mention, I also have 1 Pangasius catfish. But he is not aggresive at all, its in my ship wreck decoration hiding, or hitting his face against the wall, when I bought him, seller didn't mention they need huuuuge tanks, so they can grow.