Can I treat my fish for injury while he's still in the community tank?

Question

I have the meanie fish in the only seperate tank I have. I realize now I made a big mistake in buying them.

From what I can see, I have two options. I can use aquarium salt or I can use Melafix (sp?).. Can I use either of these while my injured fish is in the 40 gal with my other fish? How long will he take to heal with either product?

He is a black moore goldfish, the attackers are albino tiger barbs. in the 40 gal I have a pleco, 2 corys (now in the 10 gal), two kinds of tetras (5 total), a dwarf gourami, two rainbow sharks, an otto, a beta, and two plecos, and two algae eaters

I think he's just injured by being attacked by my tiger barbs. I read that they pick on slower and fluff tailed fish, which my black moore fits both those characteristics.

I said I had two plecos, but I meant two platys.. I have one pleco and two platys.

Answer 1

If all he has is an external injury, then just add salt (1 tbsp per 5 gallons, disolved first). Melafix will not help if he does not have a bacterial infection, so unless he does have an infection, do not medicate - meds are harsh on your fish and your biological system, so avoid using meds as prevention or as a cure-all.

Also make sure to keep your water very clean to help prevent secondary infections.

That said, it would be a good idea for you to set up a new tank for your goldfish. Goldfish are not tropical fish as are the rest of the fish your community tank; they are coldwater fish, and need temps of about 70F, whereas your other fish are happier in the 76-78F range.

This move would assist healing (goldfish do not do well in warm water) and would prevent future problems.

Answer 2

Doesn't sound like a physical injury, but it could be stress-induced atrophy. Danios are schooling fish, and bettas are territorial, so its being with only 2 more of its kind and a potentially violent fish might stress it out more than usual. Here's what I would do: - get 3 or 4 more danios, make sure they are of the same species so they can school properly - Treat the tank with aquarium salt, about one teaspoon every 5 gallons is what i usually dose (don't add it directly, remove some of the water, add the salt to the removed water, and after it is dissolved, refill the tank with the salted water) - regular small water changes will make your fish feel better (use the rule of three to calculate how much salt is lost with the water you removed, and replenish it)

Answer 3

Please provide a little additional information. What is the injured fish suffering from? What kind of fish is it and what else is in the original tank?

I just saw your other post concerning this and answered in more detail there.

Best of luck and hope the answer helps.

Answer 4

your bottom feeders aren't going to take well to the salt. I would put the community back together and put the moor by himself for treatment.

Answer 5

Look if u have other agressive fishes who trouble this fish then keep it in a bowl then it is best to keep the injured fish in it but be careful u set some stones and plants in the bowl and keep the fish till it cures and then put in tank