[ameliarose82]

We had 2 red eye tetras for a while and then we went to Wal-Mart and bought 3 more a little over a month ago. When we got them home I noticed one of the new ones had some scale damage. We figured that with some good water it would either heal on its own or it would soon die. Now here it is weeks later it neither has happened. We have them in our 55g tank.

Since the fish seems perfectly fine I'm not sure if I should do anything for it or not. I hate to risk adding anything that may harm my other fish. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Giri]

Hey there! I think you would be better off leaving it alone. Since nothing is infected and your fish isn't acting odd- medicating my just stress out your tank, or that particular fish if you quarantine. Just keep an eye out for odd behavior or infection signs!

 

[Byron]

Agree. From the photo, and assuming the "damage" is that reddish blotch behind the head, that is due to a partially missing gill cover.

I have a female Congo Tetra with the same issue; not sure how it happened, but I suspect it was like this when I acquired the group and I didn't notice until the fish were in the tank. I have certainly never seen any fish attacking this one, and I have had the group for 2 plus years now.

It appears red of course, and that tends to make us think something should be done, but in this case, no. Leave it alone. The gill cover will not re-grow.

Byron.

 

[ameliarose82]

Thank you both. I thought my instincts were right to just leave it alone, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't neglecting it by not doing anything. The fish seems fine and they swim and behave very well together, so I will just continue to watch it.