Royal Panaque Tail -- Ragged or Normal?

[akb42]

I have had a Royal Panaque for about 1 1/2 years and his tail has always looked a bit ragged -- in the middle there are just the thick lines that 'support' it. I thought he was just in poor shape, though everyone else in the tank seems healthy & has beautiful, full fins. Then I looked through the pictures on here and saw a few more royals with the same thing...

here's the link to the other royal: http://www.planetcatfish.com/catelog/im ... _id=1547#1

I saw reference to tail "windows" but couldn't find a picture of this. Is that what this younger Royal has?

Why is my Royal's tail like this? Is it harmful or an indication of sickness/poor health?

I would really appreciate any info... thanks!

Amanda

[Carp37]

Hi Amanda-
I can't see any evidence of raggedness in the link's picture; I think the "tail windows" refer to the fact that there is a lack of most of the pigmentation in this section of the fin. I've got a juvenile L191 ("dull-eyed royal") that shows the same thing. I think there's a degree of individual variation among these fish but I'd say what you are describing is normal, although if you could provide a photo we could see for sure.

Stu

[akb42]

Stu,

Thanks for the reply! Perhaps ragged was the wrong way to describe it. I know a picture would be MUCH more helpful, but my Royal suddenly gets shy every time the camera appears... There's just a clear section (about 1/2" circle) in the middle of his tail. I can see lines running through it, but no coloration. I assumed that there was no fin there at all -- but you're saying there's just no pigmentation? Strange!

Thanks for your help -- I appreciate it... I suppose our Royal is just young : )

Akb

[MatsP]

As long as there is a membrane between the rays in that section, it is perfectly normal.

--
Mats

[jerry58]

Hi akb42

You Said.
but my Royal suddenly gets shy every time the camera appears...

Just a thought if you are having trouble taking pics of your fish its usually down to the fact that they see the auto focus light beam and shoot off,(not saying it will solve it but well worth a go.)Eye up the distance from camera to the fish of the pic you want to take,then line the camera up on something away from the tank,same distance as the shot you want to take,keep your camera button half way down let it focus,hold down line up shot on fish finger fully down and hey presto fish pic taken I use this way to take pics of my fish and get better results and works well for me give it a go.Takes a bit of practice
Let me know how you get on.

Hope it helps Jerry