My fish got stuck and injured. What do I do to help him?

Hi, I was hoping to get some insight on how to help my fish or if there’s even anything I can do to help. He’s a full grown blue gourami that I’ve had for about two years now. Tonight he got stuck in one of the ornaments in my tank (I should’ve removed it when I realized he was too big but I didn’t and now I really regret it) and I tried to ever so carefully wiggle him out both forwards backwards and he just wouldn’t budge. It lead to a solid five minute fight between me and the ornament. I was able to finally break the ornament and free him, but sadly his scales and skin were damaged from him putting trying to wrangle his own body loose. He’s in a 12 gallon tank all by himself right now and any help would be appreciated.

 

Hi Miaisure,
If it was my fish I would do multiple small temperature matched conditioned water changes for the next 3 or so weeks or until there’s a change.
Small 25% daily water changes may help avoid the changes of a secondary infection.
I don’t have access to medication but would use Indian almond leaves if you don’t already.
Fingers crossed .

 

Hi Miaisure,
If it was my fish I would do multiple small temperature matched conditioned water changes for the next 3 or so weeks or until there’s a change.
Small 25% daily water changes may help avoid the changes of a secondary infection.
I don’t have access to medication but would use Indian almond leaves if you don’t already.
Fingers crossed .

I would do bigger waterchanges than 25%, more about 50%, but otherwise exactly same course of action.

 

I'd use Paraguard or Esha 2000 cause of their abilities to prevent mild bacterial or fungal infections to which it is prone now.
Not a fan of using meds, but in this case I would.

Melafix (not a med) also does that job but be careful with that in case of Gouramis.

 

I'd use Paraguard or Esha 2000 cause of their abilities to prevent mild bacterial or fungal infections to which it is prone now.
Not a fan of using meds, but in this case I would.

Melafix (not a med) also does that job but be careful with that in case of Gouramis.

initially, I was going to suggest Melafix as well, but gourami have a labyrinth breathing organ. Thus, Melafix at the normally recommended dose my be harmful. It is my understanding that BettaFix is a less concentrated form of Melafix. While less harmful to Bettas and other labyrinth fish, it will also be less effective.

Paraguard is basically a combination of malachite green and gluteraldehyde. Thus, it should provide some protection from parasitic, bacterial, and fungal infections while the wound is healing. Like DoubleDutch, I use medications reluctantly, but think of this as you might applying a disinfectant to an abrasion.

Since your fish is in quarantine, your main tank won't be affected by the treatment.

Back in the old days, we would have netted the fish and applied mercurochrome (merobromin) directly to the wound, but mercury containing antiseptics are no longer available.

 

Thank

Hi, I was hoping to get some insight on how to help my fish or if there’s even anything I can do to help. He’s a full grown blue gourami that I’ve had for about two years now. Tonight he got stuck in one of the ornaments in my tank (I should’ve removed it when I realized he was too big but I didn’t and now I really regret it) and I tried to ever so carefully wiggle him out both forwards backwards and he just wouldn’t budge. It lead to a solid five minute fight between me and the ornament. I was able to finally break the ornament and free him, but sadly his scales and skin were damaged from him putting trying to wrangle his own body loose. He’s in a 12 gallon tank all by himself right now and any help would be appreciated.

Thank you everyone for your advice! I really appreciate it

Hi, I was hoping to get some insight on how to help my fish or if there’s even anything I can do to help. He’s a full grown blue gourami that I’ve had for about two years now. Tonight he got stuck in one of the ornaments in my tank (I should’ve removed it when I realized he was too big but I didn’t and now I really regret it) and I tried to ever so carefully wiggle him out both forwards backwards and he just wouldn’t budge. It lead to a solid five minute fight between me and the ornament. I was able to finally break the ornament and free him, but sadly his scales and skin were damaged from him putting trying to wrangle his own body loose. He’s in a 12 gallon tank all by himself right now and any help would be appreciated.

Thank you for the help everyone! I really appreciate it.