wounded fish, need help

[kyle34]

Hi all,

I have got 5 venustus and 3 rostratus in a 6ft tank, have had them together for a while now, but got home this afternoon, and found that one of my large female venustus has got a wound over her eye, and one of my female rostratus, has been absolutly bashed with plenty of wounds, all over. On one side she has had most of her scales removed and a fair bit of flesh flapping around, I only have 1 spare tank and its only a 2ft, so i have put her in there so she dosnt get any mor beatings. My questions are

1. What can i do to help the healing process, is there something i can buy to add to the water?

2. Is a 2ft tank ok to keep her in while she heals?

3. Im not sure it it was the male venustus or the male rostratus that has done the damage, My male rostratus, is very active which i have never seen before and his colours are so awsome. What do you guys/gals think that would have done the bashing.

any info would be great.

cheers

kyle

[seth]

1. What can i do to help the healing process, is there something i can buy to add to the water?

2. Is a 2ft tank ok to keep her in while she heals?

3. Im not sure it it was the male venustus or the male rostratus that has done the damage, My male rostratus, is very active which i have never seen before and his colours are so awsome. What do you guys/gals think that would have done the bashing.

any info would be great.

cheers

kyle

Hi,

I find that melafix is a great product for healing open wounds, follow the instructions. I also find adding a little salt to the water (which you may have now) also helps.

The 2 ft tank is okay for healing.

As for who has done the bashing, I can't help you there. You may have difficulty reintroducing the female in to the main tank.

Good luck.

[Ash]

that "flap of skin" will get fuzz on it very soon - I'd have both salt & melafix in the tank at all times & also be prepared to do some salt dips on that fish as well.

Depending on the size of the wound on the venustus I'd probably do the same treatment but probably skip the dips unless it gets bad.

Be prepared for the injured rostratus to not make it, I've only ever successfully brought one bashing victim back from the skin hanging off point - it might be better to euthanise her & put the less injured venustus in there instead, though that choice would be up to you.

Be aware the fungus fuzz will come, so treat now.

Also, don't expect her to eat anytime soon, but still be aware that the dieing flesh on her will decompse so you need to keep the ammonia etc down, so if the tank isn't cycled you'll have a lot of work on your hands.

Good luck

[Mani A]

Yeh flesh hanging off UHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

salt and melafix

Try also turning the lights of and rearranging the tank.

Any thing to confuse the fish and make them concentrate on finding new territories instead of fighting.