mig
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Post by mig on Jul 5, 2009 13:16:44 GMT -6
Today I got good sized red zebra from the critter for free, because she is pretty beat up. Missing most of her back fin and some missing scales around her back fin-- on top of that I think she is holding. I took her because I figured she had more of a chance in my tank than in a tank where she was one of the only females and being chased non-stop
Now I do not have a tank to put her in while she heals so for right now she is in my main tank and seems to be swimming around fine and she looks healthy considering the damage done to her... What can I do to help this healing process and possible make it heal faster?
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Post by sirknight on Jul 5, 2009 13:52:43 GMT -6
Putting her in your main tank is not a good idea since the another fish may pick on her and kill her.
Also, you don't know what else is wrong with her (diseases) that can be transmitted to your other fish. Sometimes free is not good.
I would use a separate tank and add some chemicals to help with the healing process,
Since you don't have the option keep the water clean by making a lot of water changes (at least once a week at 30%), keep an eye on all the fish in the tank and if all goes well she may heal.
If that fish and or your another fish start showing signs of disease, then treat the entire tank with the appropriate medications.
Good luck and hope all goes well.
Joe
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angel
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Post by angel on Jul 5, 2009 13:54:46 GMT -6
If she's holding I have doubts the babies will make it in the community, and if she's beat up badly she will get further picked on it's survival of the fittest. The weakest get slammed on. You NEED a hospital tank. At this point you can't use the water from her tank at the Critter, so you would have to use water from your tank, something that's been in it a while to keep the bacteria going, filter it and keep it warm enough, and keep the lights off for most of the time so she thinks she's hiding. When our fish are beat up if they go into hiding in their tank we leave them. If they come out they get picked on so we remove them to their very own tank for healing. This is if they don't suddenly kill one fish and we weren't watching and didn't notice. At the very least provide plenty of hiding spaces and put in some salt to make her feel better. But a 10 gallon doesn't cost much and you did get the fish for free, so it would be a great thing to do for her imo.
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angel
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Post by angel on Jul 5, 2009 13:55:34 GMT -6
Oops! Joe was answering while I was typing. He's really knowledgeable. I'd do whatever he advises.
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Post by sirknight on Jul 5, 2009 13:56:50 GMT -6
Tina, I guess you type faster then me  Also if she is holding I would take the eggs from her and use a trumbler and try to hatch them. at least this way she will start eating and speed up the healing process. Joe |
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angel
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Post by angel on Jul 5, 2009 14:04:38 GMT -6
Excellent point! I hadn't even thought of that!
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mig
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Post by mig on Jul 5, 2009 14:11:38 GMT -6
Maybe I made a mistake-- but I have her now so I need to figure out something The only thing wrong with her is that she has been nipped (so it appears). Now she has been in my tank for a little while is not being messed with at all and is doing really well. Now could I possibly get an established filter and hang it on the side of a 5gal bucket and leaver her in there while treating with something like melafix?
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angel
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Post by angel on Jul 5, 2009 14:26:34 GMT -6
The Critter wouldn't have given her away if she didn't have some serious needs. I'm sure she needs to be alone. I'm not sure about the bucket and the only time I've used melafix it turned out badly so I'm not one to say.
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reagan
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Post by reagan on Jul 5, 2009 14:48:48 GMT -6
Us a divider. They are easy to make. Once she recovers. let her go. Do weekly water changes of not less than 50%. If the water is clean injured fish will have a better chance. Cichlids will fight.
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Post by sirknight on Jul 5, 2009 15:49:23 GMT -6
Mig,
Putting her in a 5 gallon bucket with a filter and meds will IMO kill her. She is stressed enough. At this point I would leave her where she is and see what happens.
Joe
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mig
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Post by mig on Jul 5, 2009 16:18:58 GMT -6
Mig, Putting her in a 5 gallon bucket with a filter and meds will IMO kill her. She is stressed enough. At this point I would leave her where she is and see what happens. Joe Sounds good to me-- Hopefully I didn't make a mistake on this. My softer side went out when I saw that fish and my thoughts was I can probably give it a better chance than where it was. So far so good, she has found a spot in the tank and staying there not being bothered by anyone. She is for sure holding I am just doing to leave her be for now see how it turns out. Until I can get another tank set up I really don't want babies since I have no place for them. If she spits them in the tank I will just let nature take its course and if some happen to survive than they deserve it. |
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angel
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Post by angel on Jul 5, 2009 16:25:13 GMT -6
The divider thing is a solution. Hadn't thought of that either. Thanks Reagan.
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reagan
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Post by reagan on Jul 5, 2009 16:58:18 GMT -6
I use a divider when I add a new fish or when one is getting beat up. I use a close basket when adding one to the pond, Over a couple of day the fish get use to seeing it. helps to redues fighting
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angel
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Post by angel on Jul 5, 2009 17:02:41 GMT -6
There would still be the possibility of disease, but hopefully that won't be an issue. The divider would at least give her some peace
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reagan
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Post by reagan on Jul 5, 2009 17:53:37 GMT -6
Yes but if you remove the stress the chance of disease goes way down.
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