Oh no!

Karackle · 02-18-2008, 07:18 PM

I bought one of those magnetic algae scrapers today and when I put it in my 20 gallon, one of my betta's got stuck in between the two pieces!!! I noticed it right away and of course pulled the magnet back apart. She was a little stunned at first, of course, but she was swimming around and going after food again within just a couple minutes.

HOWEVER it does look like she has a little bit of damage to her scales on the side that was against the algae brush.

Should I remover her from that tank for a little while to keep an eye on her? I just finished setting up a 5 gallon planted tank, should I use at as a hospital tank for her for a little while? Should i set her up a betta bowl with water from the 20 gallon? Should I leave her in the tank and see how she fairs?

or should I do something else I haven't mentioned?

thanks in advance!

Loman · 02-18-2008, 07:26 PM

Depending on how bad the injury is any of the ideas mentioned could be correct. I would probably opt to leave her in the maion tank if the other fish are very peaceful. I would probably try to treat with something that helps the slime coat. There are a number of products that do this, I have often used stress coat. One thing is to be sure the 5 gallon tank is fully cycled if you opt to use it because you do not want to add more stress

Karackle · 02-18-2008, 07:41 PM

I was thinking of adding some stress coat, i'll do that right now, and keep an eye on her.

I'd still appreciated any other suggestions though!

thanks again!

cichlidgirl · 02-18-2008, 07:59 PM

Be sure to mix your stress coat in a seperate bucket and dump that into the tank rather than putting pure stresscoat into the tank, i killed a fish once that swam into the stream i was pouring into the tank. It coats the gills of fish that swim into the unmixed product.

jwurm · 02-18-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

It coats the gills of fish that swim into the unmixed product.

hmmm... that's good to know. Next time I'll just mix it in a cupful of tank water like i do when I add salt.

Karackle · 02-18-2008, 09:30 PM

Thanks, yeah it's pretty thick, i like to mix it first also, but it's good to know i've got the right idea with that!!!

thanks again!