Tropical Fish Forums

[TJ]

I say this story belongs in then tales section, that would be a story!

[scrkpr]

I might also suggest daily cleaning the wound with peroxide or iodine and then spreading some triple antibiotic ointment over the wound, That's what I do for my goldies when they get an ulcer. It works great but you do have to take them out of the tank and be careful not to get the ointment into their gills or eyes. The Melafix should speed healing and stop a secondary infection but with a deep gash like that I would take more invasive measures...at least with my favorite fish. I hope he geats better.

[deborah_claro]

Yet another photo, taken today. Isn't it remarkable how fast the dorsal fin is growing back!
I have to say, I'm impressed with the regeneration powers of these creatures.
He loves his den, bless him! I hate to follow him around with the camera, and if I didn't wholeheartedly believe in the value of this story for the Disasters archive, I'd leave him in peace!

Deborah
_________________

[haname]

Hi Deborah,

How's your fish doing? Have you gotten a good look at its belly to see if it is closed yet?
_________________
Happy fishkeeping!

~Haname

[Ciklido]

Very impressive injury wow! I can't even imagine what you're first impression was when you saw it. My mercy for the fish is yours .
It's very clear hes recovering because of the high quality environment you give them I would think, he has no fungus from any pictures or excessive bleeding. Oh yeah he's lucky to have you in this case
_________________
Get attached, love everything now, then, suffer when it comes to an end, for it will bring great meaning to one's existence. JR

[deborah_claro]

Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts for Mac. I have tried very hard to keep pristine conditions throughout this crisis, which is very hard with fish that like to dig and throw sand around and eat wood. It's tough!

Anyway, despite watching and waiting patiently, I can not get a photo of Mac on the glass, which means the condition of his undersides is still a mystery. However, I did get this shot, which shows his
left side has healed beautifully:

This photo shows that the scutes have grown over the former white abraded area, and have resumed their natural pattern and coloration. As well as that, the slash across the top of the head (as seen in the early photos on this thread) has healed over, and you'd have a hard time finding where it used to be. This, above anything, makes me think the slash to the underside has healed, too. Perhaps all the way.

I probably won't have a chance to know for sure until I set-up the 90 gallon that I'm getting next summer. At that time, I'll have to capture him in order to move him to the new tank. I will be sure to take photos and record everything. I'm as curious as you are!

Deborah
_________________

[lindak]

WOW! He looks fabulous!
Phew!!! Congrats on the good doctoring, well done.

[Marcos Avila]

Deborah, feel free to post updates for as long as you like, and then let me know when you consider this topic "wrapped up"...I think we should then move it to the Best of the Board forum.
_________________

Success with a fish/tank is measured in YEARS, not months or weeks...

[randomrambler]

I'm glad to hear he's OK now . The treatment you gave him and his recovery obviously shows your skill as a fishkeeper .

[jtg90]

DANG! I thought for sure that mac was going to be dead by the end of the story! Very impressive fish!!

jtg