Beat up Tang

[lakai]

I have a Black Tang that was severely beat up by my sohal tang. I removed it from my DT and medicated it with erythromycin.
Surprisingly it is still alive, its always breathing and flapping its fin, and occasionally rights itself for a few seconds when it has a burst of energy and starts swimming. On its left side its fin is ripped to shreds but can see he still tries to move it. Although it is laying on its side most of the time, It does occassionally try to swim. It's been 3 days and it seems to be trying to recover, I'm changing water in the bucket daily and really would like to see if it can fully recover but am prepared to euthanize it if I notice it no longer has the energy. So I'm wondering if there is anything else I can do to help it try to stay alive. Also if there is a source for MS-222 that doesn't cost a arm and leg. Thanks

 

[TX_REEF]

is it eating at all? Any chance you have a qt tank you could set up with some water movement/agitation and cycled media from your display?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a Black Tang that was severely beat up by my sohal tang. I removed it from my DT and medicated it with erythromycin.
Surprisingly it is still alive, its always breathing and flapping its fin, and occasionally rights itself for a few seconds when it has a burst of energy and starts swimming. On its left side its fin is ripped to shreds but can see he still tries to move it. Although it is laying on its side most of the time, It does occassionally try to swim. It's been 3 days and it seems to be trying to recover, I'm changing water in the bucket daily and really would like to see if it can fully recover but am prepared to euthanize it if I notice it no longer has the energy. So I'm wondering if there is anything else I can do to help it try to stay alive. Also if there is a source for MS-222 that doesn't cost a arm and leg. Thanks

Hate tio say but this fish is so attacked/beat up that it may now be moribund in which it may not eat or swim normal moving forward. In this state of health, there is often no medication that can be recommended to build it back up. Its best chance will be a separate tank with an air stone added for additional oxygen but best I can say is hope for the best but expect the worse.
Have I seen fish recover from this point, yes but rarely
What other occupants are in the tank with it?

 

[Reefering1]

Hate tio say but this fish is so attacked/beat up that it may now be moribund in which it may not eat or swim normal moving forward. In this state of health, there is often no medication that can be recommended to build it back up. Its best chance will be a separate tank with an air stone added for additional oxygen but best I can say is hope for the best but expect the worse.
Have I seen fish recover from this point, yes but rarely
What other occupants are in the tank with it?

I have a Black Tang that was severely beat up by my sohal tang

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have a Black Tang that was severely beat up by my sohal tang. I removed it from my DT and medicated it with erythromycin.
Surprisingly it is still alive, its always breathing and flapping its fin, and occasionally rights itself for a few seconds when it has a burst of energy and starts swimming. On its left side its fin is ripped to shreds but can see he still tries to move it. Although it is laying on its side most of the time, It does occassionally try to swim. It's been 3 days and it seems to be trying to recover, I'm changing water in the bucket daily and really would like to see if it can fully recover but am prepared to euthanize it if I notice it no longer has the energy. So I'm wondering if there is anything else I can do to help it try to stay alive. Also if there is a source for MS-222 that doesn't cost a arm and leg. Thanks

Holding it in a bucket will just add to the stress. Any chance of rigging up an in-tank isolation? I’ve used plastic colanders for that.

If you decide to go that route, here is an article on euthanasia:

Fish Euthanasia

Euthanasia Euthanasia is a word derived from two Greek words that roughly translates to “good death”. In other words, euthanasia is the painless killing of an organism. In general usage, there is also the underlying understanding that euthanasia is performed on terminal patients only. This...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[lakai]

Hate tio say but this fish is so attacked/beat up that it may now be moribund in which it may not eat or swim normal moving forward. In this state of health, there is often no medication that can be recommended to build it back up. Its best chance will be a separate tank with an air stone added for additional oxygen but best I can say is hope for the best but expect the worse.
Have I seen fish recover from this point, yes but rarely
What other occupants are in the tank with it?

Its in a 20 gallon by itself now. It isn't mobile enough to catch any food so i've been feeding mysis to it with a pair of tongs and seems to want to eat although still lacks the energy. I've been leaving it alone most of the day, change the water and it still seems to want to try and live, I don't think its paralyzed or anything but I am realistic and don't expect it to survive.

 

[lakai]

Holding it in a bucket will just add to the stress. Any chance of rigging up an in-tank isolation? I’ve used plastic colanders for that.

If you decide to go that route, here is an article on euthanasia:

Fish Euthanasia

Euthanasia Euthanasia is a word derived from two Greek words that roughly translates to “good death”. In other words, euthanasia is the painless killing of an organism. In general usage, there is also the underlying understanding that euthanasia is performed on terminal patients only. This...

www.reef2reef.com

I'll give that a try, thank you

 

[EliMelly]

I'll give that a try, thank you

Good luck

 

[vetteguy53081]

Its very unfortunate. Did you identify who the aggressor is/was?