Black Ghost Knife Fish stabbed

[cottonj21]

Just noticed my black ghost knife fish has managed to stab its self with a corner of a leaf. the leaf is stuck right in and has swollen up looks pretty nasty. Doesn't seem in pain though just seems to be acting normal.

has anyone any ideas what to do, ye can see it in the pic but its far nastier than it looks in the pic

 

[WILDER]

God that's bad, you will have to remove the fish in a wet towel of tank water, and get a pair of sterilised tweezer and remove it, then dab the wound with melafix diluted in tank water, put him back and add some melafix to the tank and also maybe do a water change.

 

[cottonj21]

heres a better view

 

[Undawada]

Be careful handling him, you don't want to get zapped!

Melafix will certainly be needed to treat the infection.

Good luck!

 

[wuvmybetta]

Holy moly... How on Earth did he manage that?!

Try to lift him off of it, or pinch the stem off of the plant,but then you'll have to catch him and remove it completely as already advised. Poor little guy. Keep steady, and good luck!

 

[WILDER]

Never kept them are they nasty, if the wound gets infected you might need an internal bacteria med for treatment.

 

[wuvmybetta]

Maybe if you pull the plant from the gravel, you can gently shake it and he'll swim off without you ever having to touch him? Only throwing ideas out here...

 

[cottonj21]

the fish isnt nasty at all, best fish ive had and i really dont want it to die. I will get some of that melafix tomorrow and and see if i can get it out ( Ive just put carbon in both filters to).
The main problem is the plant has jaggered edges and breaks easily so chances of getting it out are very slim.

Funny thing is it does seem to be acting any different than useually.

 

[WILDER]

You can't leave the plants stuck in him, it will get infected and could lead to septicemia, you will have to try to remove it, is it really stuck in, and no chance of it coming away on it's own.

 

[cottonj21]

Ye it looks pretty stuck to me, ye cant tell on the picture but its pretty swollen as well.
The way I see it I have 3 options
1. leave it see what happens
2. try take out now but i have no treatments apart from stress coat
3. leave it till tomorrow take it out and treat with melafix straight away

And thanks for the responses by the way

 

[WILDER]

I think i would go with option 2, are they a scaless fish could you use salt.

 

[cottonj21]

right im gonna have a go now. will let you know how a get on.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck, right choice the quicker its out the better.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

that looks nasty keep us posted hoe you gte on fingers crossed

 

[cottonj21]

or well its out, came out easier than i thought , was stuck in about by about 4mm , he just has a hole in his head now. is melafix the best treatment for his hole, I have a mixture of fish in my tank rams swordtales plecs neon gourami's.

Thanks