Surgery

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thefishguy7

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 19, 2007
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I plan on doing surgery on the red tiger mota that I rescued a few months ago. It's only minor fin damage, so I don't think it will be too tough.

Before I jump into this, I have some questions.

1- What should I use to knock him out/make him calmer? I know I can use clove oil, but what brand and what's the mixing ratio to water? I prefer not to use clove oil though, is there anything else I can use? If so, please tell me the name of the product and where it's available.

2- He's in a tank with a few other fish, so I'm not really sure how to knock him out. Should I siphon some of his water to another tank and simply add the solution to that? Afterwards I can dump out that water, siphon more water from the original tank and quarantine him in there. What should I add to the Q-tank after surgery to encourage a fast recovery? Should I add anything onto the fin after performing the surgery to prevent infection? If so, please tell me the name of the product and where it's available.

3- The only Q-tank I have available at the moment is a 20 tall, do you think he will be okay in there for about a week? (10" male)

4- How short should I cut the pectoral fin to? It's messed up until about 1/2" away from the body. I think I'll be leaving that 1/2", should I go shorter/longer?

5- Please give me any others tips or precautions.

Thanks in advance!
 
regarding #1

is clove oil not used for euthinasia of fish? how can it be used for knocking a fish out than?

surgery is not required for a minor ripped fin, these things ussally sort themselves out, if not ussally steps should. warmer water, salt.
 
emk@*********** said:
First of all, I don't recommend anyone that is inexperienced to put their fish to sleep. With any type of anesthetic or surgery, there is always a risk of injury and even death. Also, there is no guarantee that the fins, gills, or anything else that is affected by the proposed surgery, grow back correctly. When administering, always use less than what you think would work and adjust accordingly.

That said, here is what works for me:

Put tank water in a large and suitable container, and then add the anesthetic (don't put the fish in first and then put the anesthetic!). Make sure you mix thoroughly. If you are using Finquel / MS-222, I've found that 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of water for a relatively young fish (4-7 inches for a thicker fish like a cichlid, 6-10 inches for a slimmer fish like an aro) is suitable. Keep in mind different species as well as individual fish may require different dosages. Also, the larger the fish, the more you will need.

Put the fish in and wait at least 10 minutes. The fish should eventually turn sideways/upside down and look dead. If they are just "drowsy" and continue to move about, you will need to add more anesthetic to the solution. You can actually take the fish out and place on a flat, wet (soaked with tank water) towel and "perform the surgery." Also, I've had fish on the towel for 5 to 10 minutes, although I don't recommend pushing the timeframe. If you do have to have them out longer, put them back in the solution for a bit. After the procedure, place the fish back into the original tank. I like to hold the fish under a flow, such as an aquaclear, to get water movement through the gills. Hopefully, this fish will slowly revive and swim away.

Another method is to use clove oil. Clove oil (eugenol) is available at any drug store and is sold as a toothache remedy. It has been used for years as a fish anesthetic for surgeries and tagging procedures. Clove oil is a preferred anesthetic because it is hard to overdose a fish with clove oil. Also, for larger fish, this is quite cheaper than using Finquel.

For fish (again varies with species and individuals) up to 6" in length:

Place the fish in a measuring cup with tank water, or a large mixing bowl. Measure the amount of tank water you add to the bowl and make a note of it. If the fish is in a clear cup place a dark towel around the cup to calm the fish.

Fill a small jar with tank water, leaving some room at the top. Put 1 drop of clove oil in the jar, cap and shake vigorously. The clove oil must emulsify, turning the water milky white. When this happens, place about 1/4 of this emulsified mixture in with the fish. The fish will begin listing as it starts to fall asleep. Let the fish be for about 10 minutes. The fish should be resting on the bottom by then. It will look dead, but if you watch closely its gills will be breathing once every few seconds. If after 10 minutes the fish is still rising off the bottom, swimming intermittently, retrieve the jar and re-shake, then add the same dose to the fish's container. Wait again.

For larger fish place them in a bucket or plastic tub with tank water. The dose will be 10 drops per gallon , so if the fish is in 3 gallons of tank water, mix 10 x 3 = 30 drops of clove oil in the jar with some tank water. After shaking the jar vigorously, slowly add the entire mixture to the bucket or tub. Gently mix it in. Add the fish.

After surgery, place the fish back into the original tank. Again, I like to hold the fish under a flow,and get water movement through the gills.

Lastly, perform at your own risk!! This has worked for me, but may not for you...no bad mouthing if things don't go according to plan!

Good luck!
Click to expand...

From another site...

MS-222

http://www.argent-labs.com/argentwebsite/ms-222.htm
 
---XR---;1636487; said:
regarding #1

is clove oil not used for euthinasia of fish? how can it be used for knocking a fish out than?

surgery is not required for a minor ripped fin, these things ussally sort themselves out, if not ussally steps should. warmer water, salt.
Click to expand...

Yes, clove oil is usually used for euthanization and that is why I'd prefer not to use it. However, I'm 100% positive that a small amount mixed in water will just temporarily knock it out.

It's not ripped, it's basically crushed and bent. It's deformed and has been so for 2 months. Temperature and salt healed all of his other wounds though.

Modest_Man;1636511; said:
From another site...

MS-222

http://www.argent-labs.com/argentwebsite/ms-222.htm
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. Reading through it now...

Edit- That's the stuff, I'll be buying that. Thanks.
 
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