He somehow inseted himself into a small section and got stuck. I got him out, but now he has scrapes on his sides and top, and while he can swim fine, he just keeps laying on his side. He will swim away from the net, but then just go right back onto his side. I'm hoping this is just shock, but any ideas?
2007-06-02 04:31:56 · 3 answers · asked by Lauren H 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
First of all, he's obviously stressed out pretty badly. I would suggest you turn off the tank lights and try to keep the room fairly still and quite for several hours to allow him to get over the shock and trauma.
Do not start any antibiotic treatment on the tank or the fish. Please don't take the suggestions of dumping random medications in your tank without knowing there is something to treat. That will cause more problems than it will help.
Keep the tank water clean and well filtered with plenty of water changes over the next week to help prevent a fungus from invading the scrapes. If you do see a fungus, or even the indications of a bacterial infection, then would be the time to treat.
There are many good fungus medications on the market and most any will take care of a minor fungus in a wound. If an antibiotic is needed I would recommend tetracyline for a surface skin infection like you could see in wounds.
MM
2007-06-02 04:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He probably needs an antibiotic, because the scrapes have opened his body up to disease vectors. Get rid of the drftwood. Might be pretty but it is obviously bad for the fish. He may still die but get to a good fish store with real experts to give you the right medicine.
2007-06-02 11:37:49 · answer #2 · answered by madamewitch1106 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really need to take to a vet ive never heard of a dwarf gourami. Sorry.
Vet tech
2007-06-02 11:37:21 · answer #3 · answered by acerbasser 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋