Fish injured in shipment

Purplelobst92 · May 8, 2020

Hello my Picasso triggerfish I just ordered arrived with a ruptured bag and in a small amount of water barely clinging to life, I acclimated the fish promptly and got him in my tank where he is now, the fish is breathing but at a faster rate than normal, he's not really swimming at all but is moving a bit to stay in place not sure if he will make it... does anyone know if he's likely to die from this ordeal or perhaps maybe he will live ?

Angelwolf21203 · May 8, 2020

I would keep the lights off and put some stress coat in the water. He's in shock right now, so give him time and make sure no one else is picking on him. Would love to see a picture!

vetteguy53081 · May 8, 2020

As long as water conditions are good , should look better in the morning. Puncture likely from its' upper dorsal.

Angelwolf21203 · May 8, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
As long as water conditions are good , should look better in the morning. Puncture likely from its' upper dorsal.

My thoughts exactly.

pcon · May 8, 2020

Similar happened to my burgess and aculeatus butterfly fish, thought they would be dead when I first open the box and saw them in the bag. They recovered in a day or two, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Good water conditions, subdued lighting, and a bit of food and it should come around quickly.

Purplelobst92 · May 8, 2020

Angelwolf21203 said:
I would keep the lights off and put some stress coat in the water. He's in shock right now, so give him time and make sure no one else is picking on him. Would love to see a picture!

I turned the lights off and nobody else is picking on him, his back fin seems to be undulating a bit more so maybe the shock is starting to wear off I just hope he's not in a fish vegetative state... It looks like he went without oxygen for a while I cant believe he lived.

Purplelobst92 · May 8, 2020

vetteguy53081 said:
As long as water conditions are good , should look better in the morning. Puncture likely from its' upper dorsal.

Yes Tank water quality is top notch for a fowlr tank, I used a fast drip method to acclimate him, he seems to have improved but still has a "deer in headlights" look to him, his eyes don't move much and he's not very alert of his surroundings.

Purplelobst92 · May 8, 2020

pcon said:
Similar happened to my burgess and aculeatus butterfly fish, thought they would be dead when I first open the box and saw them in the bag. They recovered in a day or two, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Good water conditions, subdued lighting, and a bit of food and it should come around quickly.

I sure hope he makes it I do love my triggerfish.