Wrasse head wound protocol?

[Beau_B]

My famously jumpy Carpenter wrasse got spooked at feeding time and pinballed around the tank. He has a pretty good gash on the top of his head.

Leave it be? I can't catch him, so putting in QT isn't an option. Only option I can think of would be dose something like metroplex in the whole tank.

He's out and swimming normally (maybe a bit slower and cautious!)

Pic doesn't really represent the damage. Has a flap hanging off and everything.

 

[ehealy13]

My famously skittish Carpenter wrasse got spooked at feeding time and pinballed around the tank. He has a pretty good gash on the top of his head.

Leave it be? I can't catch him, so putting in QT isn't an option. Only option I can think of would be dose something like metroplex in the whole tank.

He's out and swimming normally (maybe a bit slower and cautious!)

Pic doesn't really represent the damage. Has a flap hanging off and everything.

Do you think you could catch him in a fish trap?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Metroplex is for anaerobic bacteria and protozoans, so don't use that for an external wound, it won't help and may cause issues in your tank.

Due to the fish's skittish nature, catching it up to move it for a treatment (unless you can trap it) is just going to cause more damage. I would leave it be and see if it heals on its own.

Jay

 

[Beau_B]

Do you think you could catch him in a fish trap?

Anything is possible, but historically no. I would have better luck leaving the top of and have him jump into a bucket.