Hi Jenny,

I typed this search about your Koi's tail on another Koi forum. The answer was if the base of the tail is still intact then yes the tail will grow back, but it will take a long time. Sounds encouraging.

Best of luck,
Lisa

I have a goldfish that lost the top half of it's tail fin. I don't know how it happened, but the fish has survived for over eight years with half a tail. The lack of a full tail has caused it's body to grow much slower and it does wiggle to the extent that it's body is deformed. The tail never grew back.

I wasn't sure it would survive at first. I guess it has a strong will. It is slow and I always make sure it gets some food when I feed the fish. It's the ugliest fish I have and also my favorite.

Thanks Lisa:

I did manage to net the fish one time this week but it got out of the net and somemore of its tail came off. I can see a bloody stump where its tail used to be. I am so surprised it is still alive and eating.

Jenny

If only the fin is gone it will grow back but anyplace that got chewed into the body of the fish will not. If the damage is severe enough the fish is not likely to survive well, nerve damage from the spine. If it is just a bit off the end of the body then it may heal and be ok. They do not generally live as long with such major damage, they use too much energy trying to get food etc. but I have had fish live for years with missing fins. If they do not die soon after from shock or get an infection that they can not shake then they will be ok