Black Skirt Tetra injured from rock

[sarajwinter]

I just rescued on of my black skirt tetras from being stuck behind a rock in my tank. As soon as I released him, he began frantically swimming around my tank. I noticed that the fins on one side of him are damaged badly, including his eye. This was likely from the rock when he was trying to free himself. Overall, he just seems very stressed out. I'm wondering if he will survive this or what I should do. He is two years old and a very hearty fish. I'd like to save him but don't want him to suffer.

I've added a photo that I was able to take off him.

 

[Lucy]

Hi!
Wow, I'm so sorry that happened. Hopefully he's calmed down a but now.
Imo, the best you can do is keep the water super clean, use stress coat +, garlic guard and fish protector.

You might want to consider something like methane blue to see if you can stave off a fungal infection.

Good luck!

 

[sarajwinter]

Thank you so much for your reply! Stress coat is a GREAT idea, I'll get some of that in the morning.

I'm not familiar with methane blue. I'm going to look into that now.

Thanks again for your reply!!!

 

[sarajwinter]

Dumb question...

Can I use the methane blue in the tank with other healthy fish, or do I need to transfer him to be treated on his own?

 

[kuhlkid]

Methylene Blue can pose a threat to the bacteria in your filter. I recommend quarantining him in very clean water and treating with either dips or direct application. I've never had to implement this treatment myself, but other users on this forum have detailed very good processes for application. If you have a look through user Fishfur's posts, I think you'll find some helpful info.

 

[sarajwinter]

Methylene Blue can pose a threat to the bacteria in your filter. I recommend quarantining him in very clean water and treating with either dips or direct application. I've never had to implement this treatment myself, but other users on this forum have detailed very good processes for application. If you have a look through user Fishfur's posts, I think you'll find some helpful info.

Sounds good. Thanks for your reply. I think quarantining is a good idea.

Honestly, I wasn't sure he would survive through the night. I was debating on euthanizing. But he actually seems better today. Not as stressed and even ate during the morning feeding. His scales are extremely are damaged though.

I'll quarantine and start treatments. I'd love to save him!!!

 

[Fishfur]

Methylene Blue can pose a threat to the bacteria in your filter. I recommend quarantining him in very clean water and treating with either dips or direct application. I've never had to implement this treatment myself, but other users on this forum have detailed very good processes for application. If you have a look through user Fishfur's posts, I think you'll find some helpful info.

There is a way to use Methylene Blue that poses no risk to biofilter and won’t stain anything except the damaged areas on the fish.

It does mean catching the fish which is a stress but I think it’s worth it where there are so many abrasions.

You apply it just as it comes from the bottle directly on all affected areas. You can use a fold of soft net over him to keep him from jumping just long enough to drench his injured side using a dropper or syringe.

You can’t overdose it so you can be quite liberal with it and once all the wounds are covered in MB you can either pop him back in the tank as is or dip him briefly in a container or tank water to rinse off any excess first.

It makes it a lot easier to catch them if they’re in a QT and you can use a clear deli cup to catch him with much less stress. Pour him gently into the net, quickly apply the MB and let him go in the QT tank.

Stress Coat is just a water conditioner and not a medicine of any sort so ther is no point to using excessive amounts of a water conditioner.

The slime coat additives in it are useful when used as a water conditioner but that’s as far as it goes.

 

[sarajwinter]

There is a way to use Methylene Blue that poses no risk to biofilter and won’t stain anything except the damaged areas on the fish.

It does mean catching the fish which is a stress but I think it’s worth it where there are so many abrasions.

You apply it just as it comes from the bottle fire directly on all affected areas. You can use a fold of soft net over him to keep him from jumping just long enough to drench his injured side using a dropper or syringe.

You can’t overdose it so you can be quite liberal with it and once all the wounds are covered in MB you can either pop him back in the tank as is or dip him briefly in a container or tank water to rinse off any excess first.

It makes it a lot easier to catch them if they’re in a QT and you can use a clear deli cup to catch him with much less stress. Pour him gently into the net, quickly apply the MB and let him go in the QT tank.

Stress Coat is just a water conditioner and not a medicine of any sort so ther is no point to using excessive amounts of a water conditioner.

The slime coat additives in it are useful when used as a water conditioner but that’s as far as it goes.

That sounds like an amazing plan! Thank you so much for the information. I've never had to deal with a situation like this. So grateful to have people like you to help guide me!!

I'll update with progress!