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Well today was major tank clean day. So I got to actually see the boys. I have seen that three are boys, I think , so far. Haven't seen the other two, there, yet.

Well one of the boys has a chunk missing out of his head, a bite if you will. Definitely flesh showing and a bit of red. A smidge. It's a small chunk, but still a chunk.

I tried to catch him but he was having none of that. So, I didnt know what to do other then continue cleaning the tank. I guess I will make sure and do extra cleanings to make sure their water is beautiful till he heals?

Or do I catch him and put meds on it? I have some topical medicine. That you apply directly on an injury? it's called bio bandage by hikari. contains neomycin sulfate, meth blue, vitamin b12, binder and adhesion agents in an isotonic aqueous solution.

There's been several reports of SEVERE injuries to syno's, and they seem to recover from some pretty horrid looking injuries, so a "small bite" would not be a big issue. Obviously, clean and good quality water is a good recipe for any recovery of any fish.

--
Mats

I've seen some horrific injuries completely recover so don't panic. Clean water & perhaps a dose of melafix is all that is needed & a bit of patience.

As a quick question - have you noticed an increase in aggression at all - i'm just thinking about preventing anything further. perhaps another hidey hole or a change indecor layout might be needed.

if you get a chance look at vol2 catfishes of the world by D.Sands - there is a good pic of a syno with significant body damage that came good - quire reassuring!

Sorry to hear that. Hope he recovers. I hate loosing fishies!

Thank you all for your responses.

Richard B wrote:

As a quick question - have you noticed an increase in aggression at all - i'm just thinking about preventing anything further. perhaps another hidey hole or a change indecor layout might be needed

No honestly I haven't and I check them every day for injuries as best I can. We think it happened while I was cleaning their tank. As they all huddled under the heater and in the anubias during. Maybe I do something wrong whilst heavy cleaning. I clean the sides with the mag float or algae brush, and remove everything except live plants and the heater. Maybe I should do one side then the next so they have still places to hide while I clean? Maybe removing everything agitates them too much? Cause they defintely were quarrelling and bickering under the heater and jostling for position. Maybe it's my fault? Next time i will take out half tank deco and leave other half deco then put back half and then do the other half?

It isn't with blood today just the small chunk.

Richard B wrote:

Clean water & perhaps a dose of melafix is all that is needed & a bit of patience.

I have Melafix but I am scared of it due to the effect it has on bettas, something do to with their labyrinth organ. I realize catfish don't have that but i am still wary of it. Plus would I add it to the 75? as in 1 tsp per 10 gal, so 7 tsps plus a smidge for 7 straight days? Or would I remove him into a 10 gal and do him there? Maybe I can just make sure and clean it every day, the sand and such till it goes away? I am a bit afraid to add that much to the tank for 7 days. But if you guys have done it before I will.

I do have one book by David Sands but it is "African & Asian Catfishes" I will look for the other one.

Well the head chunk is looking way better already. But now I have a worry re one of their mouths. I am sure it started out as an injury. At first I thought he just had a deformed mouth.

I noticed it a bit ago but thought hmmm maybe he hurt himself? He is the only one who has a mouth that is bigger on one side, almost like he looks lopsided. Like he can't close it.

Today it was really obvious and looks almost white and puffy on the one side, like a fat lip but white.

I am trying to adjust a photo and make it bigger so you can see.

Sigh. I cannot even imagine catching him and medicating him. I have two empty tens for hospital tanks tho.





and their tank now:

Well today was major tank clean day. So I got to actually see the boys.

When you do this major clean..do you pull everything out to clean...if you do then they have to reestablish the pecking order especially as they get older(and grouchier), which can lead to some of this damage...even if you think you put everything back into place it probably will happen anyway...myself especially in my angelicus tank I only pull everything out when I need to catch something or if I really feel I want to change things around which is seldom but if I do then I will expect some scuffles(battles even).

You are doing a great job with the tank, it looks great...(switch the white pipe out for some more natural looking caves...if you can of course)

Birger

well I usually do it once a month. So I can stir the sand. Take out everything cept live plants. And yes it's a real pain if not impossible to get it back right.

I guess since I have MTS's in there maybe I shouldn't worry re stirring the sand? I think I have too much sand in there is why I am worried. Too tall I mean.

I will def switch out the white pipes, so far I have removed 2 white pvc and added 2 ABS. But the ABS is fatter and curly not straight and thinner so it took up alot of space. It's hidden under driftwood. I need more of it but I can't find straight black ABS.

o.k. the melafix is in. I put 7 tsps. One for each gal and I figured its a 75 gal tank but it has sand and deco? so is 7 tsps ok? Their tank smells like vicks vapor rub now. They are all looking at me and moving their whisks.

Thank you Richard for the tank compliment. I wish I had higher stuff. Like condos of pipes up and up. Or something.

p.s. when i came home and checked on them all 5 were swimming mid level almost in a row. I have never seen that before. Then they glided down and hid.

The mid level swimming is part of a shoaling activity & quite normal although it is not often witnessed in the artifical environment of tank set-ups with a lot of species

yeah? cool. i still wish i could put night vision video on them at night to watch during the day.

do I really do this melafix at 7 tsps for 7 days? like the bottle says?