Pelvic Fins Missing!?

[Klawz]

Just noticed that one of my Discus has lost the ends of his Pelvic Fins. He is in a tank with 6 other Discus who are all normal. It doesnt seem to affect him at all but its strange. They were about two inches long but are now shorter then an inch, sorta look like stubbs without the long "rays" that were there before.
Any ideas??

[Merrilyn]

Two possible answers, one being that you have a fin nipper in the tank but unusual for only one fish to be affected.

The more likely answer is that a change in water conditions has "melted" the ends of the pectorals. Nothing really serious, but keep an eye on your pH and don't allow any sudden changes.

He may be one that sleeps on the floor of the tank, and thus his pectorals are more prone to melting.

[dvdrew]

Two possible answers, one being that you have a fin nipper in the tank but unusual for only one fish to be affected.

The more likely answer is that a change in water conditions has "melted" the ends of the pectorals. Nothing really serious, but keep an eye on your pH and don't allow any sudden changes.

He may be one that sleeps on the floor of the tank, and thus his pectorals are more prone to melting.

Do they grow back?

[Merrilyn]

Yes they do. A bit like our fingernails, they keep growing as long as the fish is living. You may see a very old fish with huge ventrals, trailing way past the caudal fin.

I've seen breeding discus using their ventrals to feel along a piece of driftwood, so they lay their eggs along the middle of the twig.