Redtail Shark Hurt

[Barbie Bubbles]

My Red Tail Shark seems to have scraped himself along his entire side. There is a see through cottony fungus attached to the (scrape) or sore. He was O.K. yesterday, I just noticed this tonite when he did'nt come up to feed. Please advise how to treat. I can't put him into a hospital tank until tomorrow. And should I tread the whole tank is this contagious? My water readings are normal and all others are O.K. Tank has been running for over a year. Please advise a.s.a.p. Thank-you

 

[WILDER]

How bad is the scrape is it red and inflamed, fungus grows on dead tissue.
Did you see him scrape himself on an ornament or gravel in the tank.
Any signs of laboured breathing or flicking and rubbing on objects.
How many gallons or litres is the tank.

Sorry didn't see it before 120 gals thats fine then.

 

[DarkEntity]

Get a fungal medicine and start treating him.

 

[Barbie Bubbles]

I got a medication called "Triple Sulfa" it's for treatment of bacterial infections. The fish store owner advised this was the most suitable med. for this injury, since my shark scraped his scales right off to his skin. After day 2 of treatment, all the cottony stuff is gone, and now I can see his white/reddish scrape along his entire side. He seems to not even notice how bad his scrape looks and is acting normal, but not too happy to be taken out of his 120 gal. home and put into a 5 gal.! You guys think I got the right treatment?

 

[Gatorbait]

It's a good broad spectrum for fungus and fin and tail rot.

 

[Barbie Bubbles]

Well I think it's working because the fungus is gone. Maybe later I'll treat with a dose of Melafix for a while before I put him back into the big tank. Think yhis will help heal the scrape? And will the scales grow back? Right now my main concern is to keep it from getting infected with fungus though.

 

[WILDER]

Keep a look out for flicking and rubbing as well.
Good luck.

 

[Barbie Bubbles]

Well (as per med. bottle directions) it's the last day of treatment for my "Sharky" And I'm thrilled to report he's doing great today. The fungus on the scrape is gone and it's not red anymore. But the black scales all ripped off and there is a long white scrape along his entire side still. I'd like to keep him in the hospital tank until that heals up more. Whatshould I do next? The instructions say to do a 25% waer change and add carbon to the filter to remove the meds. And repeat treatment if necessary. I don't feel it's necessary to treat with the bacterial meds again. But, what about adding some Melafix and maybe Pimafix too for another week to help him heal and prevent infection again?

 

[WILDER]

I would do another course of the bacterial med, the scrape is bad by the sounds of it, if you cut the med to short it could get worse.

 

[Barbie Bubbles]

"Sharkys out of the hospital and back home in his big tank!! I did 2 50% water changes 12 hrs apart to remove the meds and then for two days treated him with Melifix/Pimafix. I was planning to continue for the rest of the week, but he was doing so good and the scraped was almost healed. He was so depressed and cramped (he's very spoiled living in a 5' tank) Anyway I let him go back home 2 days ago and he is doing great !!! Thanks so much everybody for your advice and support. I've never seen a fish so excited and thrilled to be back home. I swear he's smiling!!!!!

 

[WILDER]

Bless him well done.