Injured Barb

[Litespeed]

Somehow one of our Barbs got injured, but not sure how. We are thinking that when my husband was doing a water change and using the gravel cleaner he may have accidentally tagged the Barb. Anyway, the bottom half of the tail is gone and it looks like scales are missing about a quarter inch long at the base of the tail. We have put the Barb in our quarantine tank just to make sure she isn't picked on by the other fish. I doubt very much that the other fish attacked her since we just noticed it and none of the other fish were the least bit interested in her, harmed or not. I know it will take a very long time for the scales and tail to grow back. She is acting fine except she hasn't eaten since we put her in the quarantine tank yesterday, but that might be because she isn't use to the tank yet. Is there anything else we can do to promote healing for the fish.

[pes142]

I would put in some stress coat. Without the scales and slime coat, your fish is prone to infection. Add some stress coat, make sure the params of your water stay level, and just generally try to keep everything in that tank as stable as possible.

[james481]

I would start treating with MelaFix / PimaFix right away to combat the bacterial and fungal infections she's no doubt much more susceptible to now. Good luck with your fish!