Lungfish Attacked - emergency help needed

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SuperNinja

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Apr 30, 2014
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Desert
Hi everyone just woke up and found my lungfish like this after being in the tank for a week post quarantine. I have moved him to a smaller grow out tank where he is bigger by far. Aside from water changes what can i do to help heal him all up?

he was in with some bichir and datnoids. I can almost guarantee it was some of the endlicheri which are 7-9” and the lungfish is 11-12”. Let me know thank you!

98627FA3-2B0E-410C-B1AB-2E64A85429C0.jpeg
 
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Add some salt, 1 tsp per g. Can dip the tail in some methylene blue. Should get better. Lung fish are resilient at times and hope this is one of those times.
 
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The main issue is preventing secondary infections (bacterial and fungal).
The fish could recover and have a very obvious bragging right for the rest of its life. However, it should not continue to coexist with neighbors. That was quite a bite!
 
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My guess is it was multiple bites over the entire night. But I agree going to get some aquarium salt and see how it heals up. While that happens I’ll have to rethink my stocking. I’ve kept bichir and lungfish before in the past with no issues but there must be some different personalities this time.
 
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I moved him to a 10 gallon tank to be alone and recover in peace. Started eating and being very active. Also found this article on lungfish regeneration especially their tail.

www.uchicagomedicine.org

Tail regeneration in lungfish provides insight into evolution of limb regrowth

Researchers at UChicago find that the molecular mechanisms underlying tail regeneration in West African lungfish are similar to those seen in amphibians, suggesting the trait evolved in a common ancestor.
www.uchicagomedicine.org www.uchicagomedicine.org
 
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That is very cool!
It is amazing that these animals can regenerate whole body parts, similar to salamanders and (some) frogs. I sure did not know that.
It is also kind of neat to learn that the lead author of this study you found is a former postdoc of Neil Shubin's lab at U.Chicago. Shubin, Jenkins and Daeschler (the later a colleague) have discovered/described several breakthrough and new fossil taxa of early tetrapods, but also of the closest known possible link between fish and amphibians (Tiktaalik roseae, a sarcopterygian fish discovered in Ellesmere Island, Canada). Sarcopterygians are also know as lobe-finned fish.
Thanks for sharing and good luck with the recovery of your lungfish. Documenting its improvement (regeneration?) could be an important contribution on your part.
 
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