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Hi,

We have 2 angelfish in our 180 gallon set-up. Both were purchased on the same day from the same store just before Xmas and were only about 1 inch from tip of top fin to tip of bottom fin at the time.

Both angels have now grown to about 3 inches but we have noticed that one of them appears to have two anal fins. We didn't notice it in the shop but it was obvious as soon as we got home and has become more visible as the fish gets larger. In some lights the fin has a beautiful blue colouration taht is not seen on the other angel.

It does not appear that the double fin impedes this fish at all - it's growing as well as the other, moves as well as the other and seems to be the better adjusted of the two - it is less easily spooked, less aggresive etc.

I'm just wondering whether this could be the result of a genetic mutation, early injury or something else? If this is a mutation, would it be likely that any offspring would have similar features?

The fin can be seen in the photos:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/Gone_Troppo/twin_fin_angel.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s250/Gone_Troppo/closeup_of_twinfin.jpg

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

GT

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

Kind of hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like an old injury. Sometimes when fish have tissue torn away from their fins, it doesn't grow back fully or even at all. This results in something like that angel has, with some of the fin rays becoming separated from the others.

Are you able to take a side-on shot with the fin fully spread? That would help in identification.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

The fish looks like its been through the wars as a youngster is all , it happens a lot , they get put in aggressive situations in crowded conditions, often without the suitable tank height. i think sirbooks is right, sometimes the fins take an awkward split and keeps growing that way.

Sometimes they can be surgically corrected by retrimming the fin professionally , but in this case its probably not worth the risk. It probably wont affect the fish's health, and its a bit much to put a fish through just for aesthetics.

Thanks for the input

The fin is obviously not causing any problems so we'll just let it live out its life as is.

As noted in the original post, the damaged fin actually has a really pretty blue colouration to it so I am beginning to see it as a feature that makes this fish extra special rather than a problem.

GT

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.