What can be done to help these guys????

[steelayer]

I got a pair of JDs that had their fins nipped terribly all the way to the base on one of them and it grew back.

 

[Ghage]

Thanks for the advice guys albeit some what contradictory. I have no problem with water changes, but is it possible to trim the damaged fins to let them re-heal or re-grow in a more complete fashion. I have never done that and do not desire to, but in such an extreme situation would that work???? I'm just looking for options, as I can not sell them and I doubt any local lfs will take them. As i said before these where not species that I generally look tp purchase but I ended up with them and thought I'd ask for some advice on this great forum of ours. Thanks

 

[kdrun76]

I honestly can't even guess why anyone would think trimming fins would encourage growth. I do hope the individual that posted that suggestion tells you why that will help. I also hope they cite their source of information. It is an idea I have never heard before, and can think of no logic behind it.


Seeing as how these are fish you didn't want, I am going to guess (I apologize if I am wrong) that they are a fish you know little about the care needs of. What size tank have you put them in, and who else is living in that tank? A source for the aggression should be found. We might be able to help you find that source.

 

[Modest_Man]

Trimming the fin beyond the damaged portion will allow for proper re-growth. kdrun76, he received these fish with the previous damage already done. The aggression problems were in the previous tank. If you read this thread fully without jumping to conclusions you'd know that.

Here are a couple posts by Ben, aka emk on trimming damaged fins. The bad word filter will remove a certain word so you'll need to replace the asterisks in the link with w.a.t.e.r.w.o.l.v.e.s (one word, no periods).

http://forums.****************/index.php?showtopic=116197

http://forums.****************/index.php?showtopic=115675

http://forums.****************/index.php?showtopic=98270&st=0&p=920177

The best post

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!

 

[Aquanero]

I have to agree with Modest-Man damage to the hard rays is usually permenent. Those fins appear to be already healed. They may get alittle better with time and care but I think the damage is done.

 

[mamapuff]

I rescued an ID cat who's remaining caudal rays were folded in half, like a letter about a third of his tail missing. His two pectorals were shredded to bits about 3/4 inch missing (judging by my other ID his size), damage on the rays as well. His dorsal was shredded and mangled with bits of the webbing still attached. Anal fin missing a large chunk out, rays not broken, but still exposed with no webbing. His eyes not really cloudy, but looked like cloudy jello. In his original tank where I rescued him from, he would just rub his eyes along the length of the tank and you could see them push in and out, over and over again. His nose was split open very deep. He's grown everything back, tho is still healing. All that remains now is a hole on his dorsal, which is slowly getting smaller, and a pink nose that's still healing. He no longer runs his eyes on the tank and they are getting clearer. (note though, this all seemed like fresh damage.)

I have a albino weather loach rescued from a tank where he had both pectorals eaten off completely and healed. He now has stubbs that are developing rays and finage as they grow longer.

One of my bichirs ate the whole pectoral fin off of my other bichir. It grew back.

My puffer ate 3/4 of my dragon gobie's dorsal and caudal fin off. He's taken over a year to grow it back, and its still no where near what it was.

Most of this has taken months, tho for my ID its taken about 3 weeks to get to this point, and the goby over a year.

It may be different for different fish, I was just sharing my experience in the area.

Do you plan on keeping them, or are you going to find them a new home?

 

[clownie33]

Sorry for not being hopeful, but it would be denial if I was.
No treatments will help. These are permanent damages. The only one with hope of fixing would be the JD tail split. You can cut off that split and then just hope because it's only "MAYBE". It's either you keep them or give them away if they happen to be so lucky. That's about it.

Or if nobody wants them, you can find them a mate and bond them then give them away as a pair to new hobbyists.

I AGREE THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE FROM PREVIOUS INJURIES THAT HAVE ALREADY HEALED BUT YOU CAN TRY AND THEY MIGHT CHANGE BUT THEY LOOK LIKE THATS AS MUCH HEALING AS THEY WILL DO BECAUSE OTHER THAN THAT THE FISH LOOK RELATIVELY HEALTHY