Any chance the tail grows back?

[twhittle]

I rescued this 5 inch oscar from a friend's tank. His GT beat it up overnight bad. I have it quarantined in a hospital tank. Any chance his tail grows back?

 

[Blue Bear]

Wow, he got beat up bad. How big was the GT?

I don't think it will grow back, not an expert by any means though.

 

[Empyreal]

Holy hell, how did he let it get that bad? Im no expert but I doubt if it grows back it will be minimal and not back to normal

 

[twhittle]

It was a 3 inch gt in a 75 gallon. We were shocked.

 

[Empyreal]

If it was a 3in GT it was left alone way too long with the oscar to do that much damage. I would make sure hospital tank is around 82 degrees with plenty of aeration. Also would be using some aquarium salt but don't over do it. Do water changes daily.

 

[tlindsey]

Holy hell, how did he let it get that bad? Im no expert but I doubt if it grows back it will be minimal and not back to normal

×2

 

[boldtogether]

I had a flower horn that was attacked by a piranha of equal size that did every bit as much damage. It took about three-five months to get its tail back but it came back and didnt look the worst for wear. So good luck to you and to the unlucky patient. Melafix, Salt and 82-84F....water changes and attention.

 

[Buphy]

It'll take a while but if the muscle in the tail wasn't damaged too bad the fin should grow back.

 

[axs377]

I can't tell from the pic, but if it's just the fin missing no actual tail I think it will grow back given proper care. 5" oscar and and 3" gt? Are you sure your buddy didn't try to eat him?

 

[Snowflake311]

IME that much damage never grows back the same. It should grow back but don't expect his tail to look as good as it did before he got hurt. Poor guy. Like others said lots of water changes and time will help him.