Wound on clown

[DracoKat]

i came home to see my clown has a slice on his side upper back- a clean slice that looks like a paper cut. It's pretty big. Sliced his dorsal fin too

Should I try to take him out for QT? It doesn't seem to bother him- eating and swimming normally.

Any idea what could've caused such a wound? It's not a bite and the only sharp thing I have is my rock boring urchin. Maybe my coral banded shrimp?

 

[Slot]

Im guessing its the cbs. Ive seen my pair try to attack my clowns a few times

 

[GHsaltie]

If you have a QT it would probably be a good idea to go ahead and move him over. Might need to run a course of antibiotics such as kanaplex to fend off infection. Otherwise you could try adding some vitamins such as selcon to his diet and let him heal on his own. I'll tag the experts so hopefully one of them will pop in soon.
@Humblefish @melypr1985 @Brew12

 

[DracoKat]

thank you for the responses you two

I already add Vitachem to their food. I hate to stress him out by chasing after him to catch him.

 

[GHsaltie]

Could trap him, that would be a lot less stress. Just use a bottle, jar etc., put some food in there and after a couple feedings he'll get brave enough to go in.

 

[Slot]

If he sleeps at the top just cetch him then when the lights are out

 

[DracoKat]

He sleeps in the back behind the rocks. I will try without stressing too much

 

[Brew12]

I'm a little weak on wounds but I don't think I would stress him by trying to catch him. You can give him antibiotics if needed by using Focus to bind it to food.
I will defer to the real experts, Humblefish and Melypr, but I would wait before trying to catch him to see what they advise.

 

[Humblefish]

Tough call, as clownfish are very hardy fish. Probably the wound will heal fine on its own; although soaking his food in vitamins or antibiotics couldn't hurt. I would probably only QT & dose antibiotics directly into the water if it starts looking worse.

 

[DracoKat]

thanks Humble!

I will keep an eye on him. if it looks worse, I will take him out an treat in QT.

 

[melypr1985]

I think I agree with humble. It really is a tough call. The wait and see approach is probably best here. See how he does and be ready to treat if needed.

 

[davocean]

I agree, usually these heal fairly fast, and agree the CBS could be the cause, but my first thought was do you have a tang, kinda looks like a tail swipe

 

[DracoKat]

I do have a bristletooth tang. A tail could cause such damage? I didn't know that

 

[davocean]

I do have a bristletooth tang. A tail could cause such damage? I didn't know that

Oh heck yeah, easily.
That tail spike is gnarly, I've had tangs going for their eggs and of course clowns being protective, it's not at all uncommon to have this happen.

 

[DracoKat]

huh, learn something new! I was going crazy trying to figure out what could cause such damage. I didn't think my CBS would make such a wound (Sure, they can cut, but not like this, at least I don't think so). Thank you for helping, it may be that then! (or something else, who knows, lol)