Fin Rot

Fin Rot

Fin Rot in Freshwater Tropical Aquarium Fish

Below is the format overview we follow and how we present the information.

UPDATED: July 2, 2026

Identification

Can be all, any number, or only one of from the list:
Cloudy fin margins that eventually turn white.>br> Fins that start to fray and disintegrate.
Fins become inflamed and turn red and rot.

CLASS

Bacterial Gram -

Reproduction

Material that decomposed and spread..

Causes

Many times a secondary infection of another disease.
Oxygen depletion.
To high of pH values or sudden changes.
High levels of heavy metals.
Poor water Quality and poor husbandry foster the outbreak.
The fish are at risk from starvation, malnutrition, improper diet, incomplete diet, cold, stress from transport, unsanitary condition in the tank that burden their processes.

Treatments

Many times just improving water quality will reverse disease.
Water quality must be improved after treatment with a gram negative antibiotic.
Furan, Tetracycline, Chloramphenicol

Observations, Notes, Remarks

does not infect internal organs and is very survivable with treatment.
Fungus is a secondary infection.
This is an Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Vibrio types.