Golden Barb Got Stuck

[highfire]

Imagine my horror when I went into my dining room about 10 minutes ago, and found my largest golden barb had got himself wedged in an opening in an ornamental castle. He was half way in, and was trying his best to get out. It's the first time anything like this has happened.
I was straight in there, grabbed the castle and while holding it just below the water surface I gently helped the barb out of his predicament.
However, he has lost some scales and his colour has diminished.
I have removed the carbon from the filter and placed some anti-fin and body rot treatment into the tank, and I shall re-dose in the coming days according to the instructions on the bottle.
I have also switched off the tank lights. Needless to say the castle has gone in the bin.
I am so upset, and have only just stopped shaking - I've never had to deal with anything like this before.
Have I done everything I could?

 

[WILDER]

He's pale and shaking as it's stress he will settle down.
Should of just added some melafix.
Good luck.

 

[highfire]

Thanks Wilder - the medication I added was Waterlife broad sprectrum anti-bacterial treatment.
I take it the loss of scales will rectify itself?
What is Melafix? I have heard alot of people mention it on here and it sounds as if it is widely used.

 

[InaneCathode]

He's pale and shaking as it's stress he will settle down.
Should of just added some melafix.
Good luck.

The OP is the one shaking

 

[highfire]

The OP is the one shaking

If you're referring to me, then you are right - I was shaking! It seems daft now, but I was really in shock when I saw him half in half out of that castle.
This morning, the fish is still OK - he's swimming fine, but has blood under his scales on both sides, obviously from where he had lodged himself.
I shall keep a very close eye on him in the coming days, and hopefully he will eat when it's feeding time later.

 

[WILDER]

Or bless him he has h septicemia internal bleeding, he might not make it fingers crossed.

 

[kribensis12]

That is not good. I hope he makes it( I dont think he will) but I still hope he makes it.

 

[Rhiannon]

Poor little man.

Hopefully he will be ok.

Imagine if you had gone out for the day and hadnt of been there. Thankgod you were.

 

[highfire]

Thanks for the concern and kind words, everybody.
It's now 6.30 on Thursday morning and I've just had a sneeky peek at my tank, without putting the lights on. The injured barb was free swimming, but got spooked when I looked in, and he went off to hide. At least he is swimming around, which I suppose is a good sign.
I shall have a closer look later when the lights come on. He didn't want to eat yesterday, which isn't surprising.
I am continuing with the anti-bacterial treatment, so I shall still keep my fingers crossed.
And Rhiannon you echo my thoughts exactly - imagine if I hadn't gone into the room at that moment, or if I'd been out all day. Horrible thought.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.

 

[highfire]

An update on the health of my golden barb.
6 days after the incident now, and he is definately on the mend. Although he still has red marks on his sides, they are nothing like as "angry" as they have been. He has been eating well, is swimming actively and seems as if he isn't in any pain or discomfort.
I am so happy, because I would have hated to lose him.

 

[WILDER]

He still not out of the woods i'm afraid, carry on with the bacterial med.
Good luck.

 

[highfire]

He still not out of the woods i'm afraid, carry on with the bacterial med.
Good luck.

Should I still be adding the meds then? On the bottle, it says use for 5 days.

 

[WILDER]

Yes go in with another round.

 

[highfire]

Cheers Wilder - started another course of dosing yesterday.
I really appreciate your help on this!