Seriously injured Midas blenny

[Nikio318107]

Hey guys so I have a question. I have a Midas blenny in my tank and he wedged him self into a U shape inside one of the holes that carribsea puts in their life rock for frags. At first I thought it was a snail or hermit because those dumbasses get themselves stuck in those holes all the time but i took a pipette and tried to push him out and I think I really injured him. It is day 5 since being unstuck and he is unable to swim. He has been laying in the sand and he does not look good at all. He has only eaten a couple small pieces of flake and I don’t know what to do. I’m just wondering if there is anything I can do for him. I separated him and he is now in a breeder box. I’m wondering if I need to set up a QT tank and medicate or if he is too far gone. Also if I do need to medicate what kinds of meds should I use.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hey guys so I have a question. I have a Midas blenny in my tank and he wedged him self into a U shape inside one of the holes that carribsea puts in their life rock for frags. At first I thought it was a snail or hermit because those dumbasses get themselves stuck in those holes all the time but i took a pipette and tried to push him out and I think I really injured him. It is day 5 since being unstuck and he is unable to swim. He has been laying in the sand and he does not look good at all. He has only eaten a couple small pieces of flake and I don’t know what to do. I’m just wondering if there is anything I can do for him. I separated him and he is now in a breeder box. I’m wondering if I need to set up a QT tank and medicate or if he is too far gone. Also if I do need to medicate what kinds of meds should I use.

If it is a physical injury, medications won’t help, the fish either heals on its own or not. Moving it to a breeder box like you did is the best thing you can do.
Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good move on isolation. While recovery in this instance can go both ways, eating a couple flakes is a positive sign.

 

[Tired]

Pictures?

Give him somewhere to hide, even if he isn't moving much. You might consider putting something over the top of the box to provide some shade, as well, since he's up close to the light and can't really move away from it.

 

[Nikio318107]

Pictures?

Give him somewhere to hide, even if he isn't moving much. You might consider putting something over the top of the box to provide some shade, as well, since he's up close to the light and can't really move away from it.

 

[Nikio318107]

Pictures?

Give him somewhere to hide, even if he isn't moving much. You might consider putting something over the top of the box to provide some shade, as well, since he's up close to the light and can't really move away from it.

It really sucks. He is one of my favorite fish and I really think I broke his back pushing him out of the hole. He can’t swim at all. When I put him in the breeder box I stuck my hand in the tank because I had to move a rock to get to him and I didn’t even need to use a net to get him. I picked him up with my hand and put him in the box.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It really sucks. He is one of my favorite fish and I really think I broke his back pushing him out of the hole. He can’t swim at all. When I put him in the breeder box I stuck my hand in the tank because I had to move a rock to get to him and I didn’t even need to use a net to get him. I picked him up with my hand and put him in the box.

Looks good as it sits. Hopefully gains strength

 

[Tired]

Is he completely frozen like that, or does he change positions at all?

 

[Nikio318107]

Is he completely frozen like that, or does he change positions at all?

He is capable of changing positions but that seems to be where he is most comfortable. When I put him in the breeder box he moved a bit but that seems to be it.

 

[Nikio318107]

Update. Last night I took a black plastic tray and put it over the top of the breeder box to give him some shade (thanks for the advice Tired). When I got up this morning he had his gold color back. I removed the tray to squirt some mysis in and he immediately went back to stressed colors but he did eat a couple pieces of mysis.

 

[Tired]

If he can move around a little, there might still be a chance. If you can find a way to feed him without moving the shade too much, that would probably be good- best to give him some peace.

 

[Nikio318107]

I wanted to keep youse guys updated. He has his color back. He is eating and swimming around in the box. I’m staying optimistic but I haven’t been this happy since my ex decided she wanted more in life. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and I’ll keep updating.

 

[Tired]

Hey, look at the little guy go! That's great!

I wonder where that fast turnaround came from? Maybe he had some strained muscles and just needed time.

He's probably good to go back in the tank, looks pretty mobile.

 

[Nikio318107]

Hey, look at the little guy go! That's great!

I wonder where that fast turnaround came from? Maybe he had some strained muscles and just needed time.

He's probably good to go back in the tank, looks pretty mobile.

You think he is good to go?

 

[Kathy Floyd]

Wow, he really does look and seem better. Good Job!

 

[I never finish anythi]

Happy days

 

[Tired]

If he can swim well enough to move himself into and out of hiding places, isn't being shoved everywhere by the flow, and is eating readily when target-fed, he'll probably do better in the main tank than in a box.

 

[vetteguy53081]

You think he is good to go?

I use the term style and yes- seems to be normal.