Foxface hit its head really really hard...

[icomplii]

Hey guys. Yesterday while I was moving my foxface from my 60 gallon tank to my 210 gallon tank, it hit its head really hard on the glass of the tank around 3 times before I was able to catch it. Right after it got into the tank, I noticed that it was swimming weirdly and was staying in the same spot for the most part, I didn’t think much of it as it was probably pretty stressed from the move. Around a hour later, it was lying on its side on the bottom of the tank, breathing heavily. After seeing this, I placed it in a large isolation box and had to go to bed as it was super late. This morning, I saw it trying to swim around (still swimming weirdly) but was still lying on the bottom of the box for the most part but it was definitely doing better than last night. So my question is what should I do now? Should I let him back into the tank or should I keep him in the box? And does anyone have any idea what type of injury this could be?

 

[ndrwater]

Id leave him in the isolation box. Nobody can mess with him that way.
Could be a spinal injury, could have damaged the swim bladder as well.. or.. just could've knocked himself senseless.
Any or all of the above aren't necessarily fatal, but could be. Being kept apart from tankmates is probably the best way to go from here.
Best of luck

 

[icomplii]

Id leave him in the isolation box. Nobody can mess with him that way.
Could be a spinal injury, could have damaged the swim bladder as well.. or.. just could've knocked himself senseless.
Any or all of the above aren't necessarily fatal, but could be. Being kept apart from tankmates is probably the best way to go from here.
Best of luck

Thanks for the reply. I haven’t had any experience with spinal or swim bladder injuries yet, can fish recover from these?

 

[Halal Hotdog]

From my experience, once a fish starts laying in it's side, it's usually past the point of saving. I wish you luck. Eating food is a very positive sign.

 

[icomplii]

From my experience, once a fish starts laying in it's side, it's usually past the point of saving. I wish you luck. Eating food is a very positive sign.

Yea I agree, but I’ve never had a fish live past an hour or two on after lying on its side. After a little bit of research, I think my foxface might have injured its swim bladder. All I can do is hope that it heals naturally.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Yea I agree, but I’ve never had a fish live past an hour or two on after lying on its side. After a little bit of research, I think my foxface might have injured its swim bladder. All I can do is hope that it heals naturally.

Hope it recovers! Please keep us updated

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Just give it time in the box to recover (hopefully) at a minimum I’d say it definitely stunned itself.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Back when I did fresh water exclusively I had an oscar that jumped hit its head so hard it bled and tore his flesh. He laid on his side for several hours he was not knocked out because he would respond to me touching him. He recovered several hours later. Theres always hope for a stunned fish!

 

[vetteguy53081]

They stress easy and startle easy. Probably ok, but would keep it at ease for at least 48 hrs.
If it responds to food in the tank, chances will be ok

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I also recomend lowering the light a bit just so that if he is on his side he doesnt stare into the lights for hours.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Back when I did fresh water exclusively I had an oscar that jumped hit its head so hard it bled and tore his flesh. He laid on his side for several hours he was not knocked out because he would respond to me touching him. He recovered several hours later. Theres always hope for a stunned fish!

My Oscar hit the side of the glass REALLY hard when I turned the light on one morning. It ended up being paralyzed and layed on its side for 3 days before I realized the most humane thing was to kill it and end the suffering.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

My Oscar hit the side of the glass REALLY hard when I turned the light on one morning. It ended up being paralyzed and layed on its side for 3 days before I realized the most humane thing was killing it.

That's really sad I've had to put down my fair share of fish and it sucks

 

[Bryson.bobby]

That's really sad I've had to put down my fair share of fish and it sucks

I had it for almost 5 years before it’s passing. That’s when I decided to give my kissing fish and angles to a friend and turn my 55 into a saltwater.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Hmm... videos must not be working anymore.[emoji53]

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I've had trouble with videos

 

[Ox100]

Hope your fish recovers!!!

 

[icomplii]

UPDATE: My foxface sadly passed away around an hour ago, it didn’t get any better and died in the isolation box. As @ndrwater said, I think it most likely injured its spine or swim bladder. Thanks to everyone for trying to help

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Sorry for your loss