Hurt Fishy (got Stuck In The Gravel)

[kellyp]

I started my first tropical fish tank 3 weeks ago. I have one of these Biorb tanks with special gravel etc, and currently cycling with 3 zebra danios. On sunday morning i definitley had 3 fish in there, then monday morning we could only find 2. I lifted up all the ornaments i had in there but couldnt find my 3rd fish anywhere. I assumed he had been eaten by the others! Tonight (monday) i thought i would fiddle around with the gravel, as i couldnt believe 2 little zebra danios could actually eat another one, and low and behold i found him, trapped under the gravel. He is alive and swimming but just doesnt look well, and I have no idea what to do to help him. I fairly sure he has all his fins but he is swimming with his head up higher than his back end. Any suggestions on what to do and how to possibly avoid this in future?! Cant change the type of gravel as its special stuff for the Biorb tanks. I forgot to say that his back also looks like it has a large whitish blob - is this where he could have injured himself?

Thanks!
From a new fisher!

 

[WILDER]

Right he's stressed, do you only have the danios in there as i would add some salt for the stress and shock, how many gallons is the tankThe blob on his back does it look fluffy.

 

[kellyp]

Just have the 3 zebra danios. The tank is 30 L.

 

[WILDER]

That tank is really not big enough for danio as they are very active fish and need at least a 20gal.
Right add two teaspoons of salt to tank water in a jug mix well then add it to the tank, make sure the salt has disolved.

Need to know what the blob looks like as it could be columnaris due to the stress.

 

[kellyp]

Do I need special aquarium salt?
The white bit looks like a bit of a bulge -, i.e., looks a bit swollen, and as if he's taken a few scales off (does that make sense?!) If it was a growth of some sort, it looks to me as it would be too much to have grown in 24 hours, so hoping he is just a bit injured.

 

[WILDER]

Ok, just keep a close eye on him, table salt with be fine if you have no aquarium salt, only two teaspoons though.

 

[kellyp]

Thank you!
I will keep you posted on his health.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.