Fix it twins the right fix?

[YSR50]

I have a badly beat up adult L134 and was wondering if the Melfix/Pimafix is what it needs.

I've had a few fights over the years in my 55g L134 breeder tank. I've always left the fish in the tank and never had any problems, they always got better. Either this time the fish had more damage (didn't look like it) or my water is just terrible (never ever check the parameters) because the damaged area got worse. Sunday I noticed that the tail section was fuzzy, like a fish that's been dead for a few days. The breathing was also very rapid, understandably.

I set up a hospital tank for the first time in my 30 odd years in the hobby. I filled a 2.5 gallon tank with water and an established sponge filter from the breeding tank. I dropped in a "bag buddy" tablet and put in the fish. Then went and picked up Melfix/Pimafix and started treatment. By that night breathing returned to normal.

I've been doing daily half gallon water changes as well as medicating. I don't think the fish is eating but other than that it seems to be acting normal. To be honest, I didn't expect it to live this long and don't hold much hope for it pulling through.

Below is a picture from tonight, 3 days in the hospital tank.

Any comments are welcome. Thanks

.

 

[BENNO]

thats a nasty fight =O looks like fungas has set in IMO melafix
and pimafix is the way to go
but i hope he pulls through mate =]

 

[D-MAC]

I would say you are on the right track with what you've done so far...If its possible add some extra aeration as well...Hope it pulls through for you.

 

[bigbird]

yup your on the right track. looks like he was in a cave and was fighting with another rasping on his tail. cheers jk ps good luck:thumbup:

 

[Mooo]

The meds will help, but
My method
Take it out and dab on some Betadine(antibacterial/antifungal) with a cotton bud, do it a few times, blow on it each application to set it, do that for a few days it the fungus should go, I cured a few fish of that injury fungus with this method..still have the fish today..Honestly it work..worth a shot..

 

[macvsog23]

Just a quick one always add extra air when using the twins

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I'd agree with Bob about the air, in fact most medications (even things like salt, NaCl) will lower the oxygen content of the water.

Take it out and dab on some betadine (antibacterial/antifungal) with a cotton bud....

I've also done something very similar to Moo, on a damaged cichlidusing "Kenalog in orabase" a water-proof mouth ulcer treatment, and it worked really well.

cheers Darrel

 

[FF MkII]

Hows it doing?

 

[YSR50]

He does look better. Still acting normal, not sure about eating though, still don't think he is, which is fine since he was huge when I dropped him in the hospital tank. Trying not to get my hopes up just in case he takes a turn for the worse.

Thanks for all the advice. Extra air was a given, I have extra aeration in the breeder tank so I made sure to have extra in the hospital tank.

How long would you guys keep him locked up?

.

 

[bigbird]

i would say till recovery and he is healed, okus in the hospital tank you can observe his eating better as well. cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[JackGillett]

Been watching this thread, glad he is getting better. Are you plaaning on putting him back in the tank? They might fight again

 

[YSR50]

Yes he'll go back home eventually, don't have any room for him elsewhere. In the 3 years that I've had my breeder tank set up I've had a few fights but nothing too major. I'll do a bit of cave remodeling before releasing him back into the tank.

 

[YSR50]

Well, after 10 days in the hospital tank the fungus started growing back on his tail. I have not changed my procedure since I dropped him in the tank. He's still acting normal but still not sure about eating. Haven't noticed any waste, just leftover food ever night.

 

[FF MkII]

Dang. Maybe wait a day or two without treating then start again?

 

[Brengun]

I would stop messing about and take him out and daub Betadine on that fungus. It stops it dead in its tracks and then all you have to do is keep the water nice.
Just be careful not to get it near his gills as it does have a cauterizing effect and he will hate ya.

Add in Prime liquid or similar to help build up the slime coat again.
Even UV in the tank for a few weeks wouldnt hurt.

 

[YSR50]

No need. Once I stopped with the meds and just did water changes he instantly got better. Tail already has color and looks normal aside from missing the adipose and top of his caudal.

Thanks all for your help

 

[FF MkII]

Excellent news.