Will the dorsal fin grow back???

Clowning Around · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2006, 08:35 AM

Hello, I have a pair of true perculas and I purchased a gold flake angel that completely destroyed their dorsal fins. The spines are still there, but that's about all. Will their dorsal fins grow back with color (orange), or will they grow back clear, or not at all? They look terrible with their fins that way and I feel so sorry for them. How long will it take to regenerate? BTW, I took the gold flake back to my LFS as soon as I noticed the damage. I'm so upset. Please help. Thank you.

Fishboy42 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-27-2006, 09:32 AM

If the base of the fin isn't damaged, then it will probably grow back. I've had several clowns with severely-damaged fins that completely recovered from it. If the base of the fin was damaged, then it may not grow back properly or at all. It may take several months to heal up in either case though. Would it be possible for you to show us a picture of your fish?

Clowning Around · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2006, 10:13 AM

The base of the fin doesn't look damaged and the spines are still there. The fin between the spines though are gone in some areas. Sorry I can't take a picture right now, they're so traumatized I don't want to make things worse with the flash. Do you know if the orange color will come back on their dorsals or will it grow back clear? I know their pectoral fins grow back clear instead of having the original colors, but I was wondering if it's the same with dorsal fins. Thanks for your help.

cschweitzer · #4 (**permalink**) 09-27-2006, 10:41 AM

If it helps, I've had a female mandarin that was completely torn on all fins by her male counterpart. They started off great and then one day the male just turned on her. I moved her and all of her fins look even better than before. Fish are hardy(and regenerative) little animals.

schlecht13 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-28-2006, 02:34 PM

If the spines are there and bloodflow through that region has not been disrupted, it is very likely, given time, that they will grow back completely. They will start somewhat opaque and eventually get the color back although its likely you will always be able to see the "original tear line" through light.

I have a pair of Clarks that came with both pelvic fins ripped up pretty bad. The fins are dark brown and over the course of about 3-4 months, they grew back but the coloration has yet to fill in completly still (1 yr later) and may never but the fins surface certainly has returned as has full function of it

fredreef · #6 (**permalink**) 11-22-2006, 10:53 AM

Hey clowning around; I have had this experience recently with my female occ. Somehow she had a pretty large chunk taken out of one of her fins. I worried for a few weeks as it looked bad then first I noticed clear looking fin beginning to fill in the gap and now after about ten or so weeks you really have to look hard to find where it was. I expect a full recovery with no effects. Just hang in there.

Fred