Melanurus wrasse hurts bad! Need help!

[Fish_Addict]

Hey guys I have a melanurus wrasse that’s been in a tank w a tiny 7 inch yellow head moray eel. The eel has been in the tank for a few months now and never had an issue of being aggressive and has had multiple multiple multiple tank mates as I own a fish store. Today the wrasse startled the eel and he latched on and took a huge chunk out of the poor wrasse. He is swimming fine and is now in a shrimp tank letting the shrimp tend to his wounds. He isn’t acting funny or going crazy when the shrimp get on his gash, he’s letting them clean it. Other than bacterial medication so he doesn’t get a bacterial infection is there anything else that can be done or has anyone had any experience with this.

 

[sfin52]

Wow that's nasty. Lucky to be alive after that encounter. Secondary infection is what your wanting to prevent. @HotRocks @4FordFamily

 

[Fish_Addict]

Is there a medication that you recommend?

 

[sfin52]

Hopefully the two I tagged will stop by shortly. @Humblefish @Lovemyreef2015 @DSC reef @Crabs Mcjones any thoughts .

 

[PDR]

Ouch! I'm sorry I can't help but I'm sure the experts will chime in soon.

 

[sfin52]

Yep way over my head.

 

[Geebs19]

Yikes, that is a nasty bite! #reefsquad

 

[maroun.c]

thats a nasty wound. indeed lucky to be alive. if you can move to a quarantine tank and treat with antibiotics both in the water and also with food if hes eating. I've had a fish with a nasty wound years back and I even pulled out of water and put Fucicort (antibiotic with cortecosteroids) cream on the wound to help.

 

[sfin52]

Thanks @maroun.c

 

[Katrina71]

Poor guy. I have seen some nasty injuries recover just fine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Fish_Addict]

@maroun.c I have in in a shrimp tank now letting the cleaners work on him and he doesn’t mind them on him. Also I feed all my fish vitamins or some kind of additive and he’s still eating like crazy. He was a trade in Bc he got so big and the guy who had him always fed the same so I’m hoping he has a very good immune system. Tomorrow I’m going to move him to a qt tank and start some medications and going to look for some of the cream to put on him. As far as antibiotics is they’re anything you’d recommend?

 

[ngoodermuth]

Neoplex is like the fish version of neosporin... to treat the water column. I’ve also read that you can actually apply plain, original neosporin ointment for people directly to a fish wound, though obviously can’t say how well it will stay put underwater.

I’m curious to what some of the others might recommend... my first instinct is to stick with something milder like Neoplex or Kanaplex since antibiotics are only proactive at this point and there is no active infection.

 

[Big G]

There are a variety of things for you to try to help your beautiful wrasse to recover. If it was my fish, I'd do all of the below.
Putting the wrasse into a QT dosed with the trifecta of Kanaplex + Furan2 + Metro will help prevent bacterial infection.
Giving the wrasse a bath in Ruby Reef Rally as it has both antiseptic and antibiotic qualities. Can do these baths in addition while the fish is in QT.
Lastly holding the fish in a wet towel, using a Q-Tip apply a very thin coat of regular neosporin to the wound. Recoat as necessary.

 

[4FordFamily]

I would source NFG if I was you. Methelyn blue (in NFG) would provide some relief and NFG is an amazing fish antibiotic. Nitrofuracin Green. I fear if you don’t use serious antibiotics it won’t make it, that’s a real bad injury. I’d use furan 2, metroplex, and kanaplex in the interim until you can get NFG. Good luck please keep us posted!

 

[4FordFamily]

In a day or two swelling will be an issue, I’d dose epsom salt (pure uncented or organic) at 1 tbsp per 5 gallons. You can do two total doses, I’d do them 2-3 days apart. The swelling will really be an issue on day 2 or 3. Watch the fish and how it behaves to figure out when to start.

Good luck!

 

[Big G]

Almost forgot about this product made by Hikari. Works great.

 

[HotRocks]

I would source NFG if I was you. Methelyn blue (in NFG) would provide some relief and NFG is an amazing fish antibiotic. Nitrofuracin Green. I fear if you don’t use serious antibiotics it won’t make it, that’s a real bad injury. I’d use furan 2, metroplex, and kanaplex in the interim until you can get NFG. Good luck please keep us posted!

I agree ^^^^

 

[reef lover]

Poor guy...hope he makes it.

 

[Fishnut]

I have also used BioBandage, as Big G recommends, and have always had great results. Just a little tricky to apply to a fish out of water.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Poor fish, keeping my fingers crossed!