[Foxxtrot]

Hey guys, so I've been trying to look up this information everywhere, but nothing. So I came to you guys. Basically I have 3 bala sharks currently in a 35 gal. They're relatively small right now, but two nights ago, one of the balas got stuck somehow within one of the ornamints and was trashing around in there for an unknown amount of time. I pulled him out, he seemed okay minus a chunk scratch around his dorsal fin, and a few scratches here and there, no blood, but he was eating and that whole bit, looked like he was going to recover well. Now with that being said. This morning I find him stuck, again, same place.. managed to pull him out, as gentle as possible. I noticed his underbelly has a reddish tint from scraping and pushing on some sharp but dull areas on the ornament, also his left pectoral fin looks damaged near the top of the fin, as if he broke it in half, but the flesh is still there and he is using his fin still. This just happened about 20 minutes ago. So how should I approach this? I'm out of test strips currently, however I did manage to replace new filter cartrage in the filter, and added prime for the stress coat. A water change is due but I'm afraid to put the little guy under any more stress.
Thank you for your time.

 

[jaysee]

Fresh, clean water and low stress environment is best for healing wounds. Do frequent water changes.

I had a goldfish get stuck in a ceramic piece - I had to take a hammer to it to free the fish. It was pretty banged up but healed just fine.

You changed the filter cartridge? Hopefully you didn't throw out your beneficial bacteria?

 

[Foxxtrot]

The beneficial bacteria is still on the waterwheel, everything that was in the filter I just threw out was practially horrifying, considering I just got back from a trip. How to you think I should handle the situation about my bala however?

 

[Foxxtrot]

After what happened, he seems in better condition than I thought he would be, right now it looks like he's trying to recover from what had happened. He's hovering in the upper region of the tank, and you can tell his dorsal fin is kind of a bother considering the injury

 

[jaysee]

How to you think I should handle the situation about my bala however?

Fresh, clean water and low stress environment is best for healing wounds. Do frequent water changes.

 

[Foxxtrot]

I see, thank you for the quick reply!
Let's hope he makes a full recovery :s

 

[jaysee]

It should. In the meantime, be on the lookout for bacterial or fungal infections setting in, and be prepared to treat it.

 

[Foxxtrot]

Managed to take these really quick.

 

[Foxxtrot]

What would early signs of a bacterial or fungal infection show as?

 

[jaysee]

What would early signs of a bacterial or fungal infection show as?

Fuzzy white tufts growing at the injury site.

 

[Foxxtrot]

And here's one of that injured pectoral fin.

 

[jaysee]

They don't look too small. Are you planning an upgrade?

 

[Foxxtrot]

Oh great, I'm looking for white fuzzy tufts inside of a white wound lol

 

[Foxxtrot]

Yes I am, trying to get my hands on 125 soon preferrably

 

[Foxxtrot]

Is labored breathing normal for the fact of him being stuck anf injured?

 

[jaysee]

The wound will be white, yes, and may kind of "flake" as it heals. But fluffy/fuzzy has no place in healing.

Yes labored breathing is normal after a fish has been traumatized. I would not worry unless it's still breathing heavy in a day or two.

 

[Foxxtrot]

I see, is there anything else I should do or watch for during recovery?
P.s. I thank you for all of your quick responses and advice, it's greatly appreciated!

 

[jaysee]

You're very welcome.

I can't really think of anything else. Perhaps someone else will.

 

[Foxxtrot]

Maybe. What also adds into my bad ownership, is that, I don't own a QT and the bala shares the tank wtih 2 others, one smaller snd one slightly larger. The bala that got injured, during feeding time is generally chased and provoked of stress.

 

[jaysee]

I think quarantine tanks are essential, but people do manage to get by without them sometimes. Ideally the fish would be isolated for a more serious injury, and if infection does set in you will be in position to treat the fish without needlessly exposing the others to the medications, plus you'll be saving money - antibiotics are not cheap and will cost 3 times as much to treat in a 30 vs a 10. It's never too late to get one