Injured Bichir (what to do)

[Boklaory]

Hi, i'm new to this forum
I recently bought a 3" delhezi from a LFs about a month ago and its in bad shape. It is missing a right pectoral fin from being captured with a net at the lfs. It also got stuck on my filter at one point (luckily i saw him before i went to bed).

In the picture, I had fed him the night before and the night before that some pellets. (it ate pieces of shrimp a couple weeks ago) I also put him in a saltwater bath for 20 minutes

My question is, will his fin grow back? Its almost been 5 weeks and i haven't noticed any change other than the color from blood red (and that was weeks ago). Can/should I continue with saltwater baths?

Water temp is 82F
I've done 10-30% water changes daily sometimes every other day
Tank is 75G

 

[framcosco]

Hey there....... welcome to MFK...... some will regrow (usually a bit smaller than the other)...... but it takes time...... others will regrow a stub & never truly recuperate...... the good news is that it can live a long & prosperous life despite its shortcomings.....

STOP the salt baths...... this will only stress it out....... continue to do regular water changes as to prevent an infection......I truly recommend a 50% MINIMUM water change....... this will not harm the del...... on the contrary..... it will keep water parameters in check.....best of luck!!

 

[Hoplo]

As above, in the photo's it is hard to see the fin (or lack of). Your best bet for regrowth of the fin is to keep the water parameters spotless to prevent infection.

 

[evabug1]

As above, in the photo's it is hard to see the fin (or lack of). Your best bet for regrowth of the fin is to keep the water parameters spotless to prevent infection.

+1 and no more saltwater baths

 

[Askaleymanfish]

I feel ur pain when I bought my first del it was missing a fin and all of its spines .... They all grew back it took awhile but they did .... However the fin is smaller than the one that didn't get tore off (like frank said above) I had to hand feed mine for almost 6 weeks cause it couldn't swim right to get to the food b4 the other fish..... So just take care of him and he will be good bro .... And stop the salt baths ..... Personally I am against salt at all in a freshwater tank (unless it is really needed)

 

[Boklaory]

Thanks for the advice... i thought salt baths were supposed to reduce stress and aid in healing... I've only done it once and wont do it again. I did a 50% water change yesterday and today I noticed he has been a lot more active. I observed closely at him and I noticed he has white spots on the head near the gills and a couple on the body... i think he has Ick! lol. I guess I have to do a bigger water change now maybe 90-100%?? Maybe i should clip off his other fin and make him look like a rope fish lol..

 

[Durrells]

I would never do more than about 75% water change at a time, just too stinkin hard otherwise. That should be plenty in the way of fresh water. As for the Ick, you probably know the drill, 86deg and AQ salt. And patience.

 

[framcosco]

I would never do more than about 75% water change at a time, just too stinkin hard otherwise. That should be plenty in the way of fresh water. As for the Ick, you probably know the drill, 86deg and AQ salt. And patience.

So you wouldn't do a 75% plus WC because it's too hard? Just curious.

 

[framcosco]

Thanks for the advice... i thought salt baths were supposed to reduce stress and aid in healing... I've only done it once and wont do it again. I did a 50% water change yesterday and today I noticed he has been a lot more active. I observed closely at him and I noticed he has white spots on the head near the gills and a couple on the body... i think he has Ick! lol. I guess I have to do a bigger water change now maybe 90-100%?? Maybe i should clip off his other fin and make him look like a rope fish lol..

Take some pics of these white spots.... It may not be ich at all. What other tank mates do you have in the tank?

 

[Boklaory]

You're right it probably isnt ick. I didnt see it on him today. I also got 8 african cichlids and 3 red tail sharks in there