!!Help for an injured Picasso Clown!!

[lkc]

I put this originally in the fish disease category but I'll try here instead.....


So, I bought a pair of Picasso's Sunday from my LFS. Some stupid lady gave them up because they wouldn't "go into the nem". They are a lovely mated pair. Here is the problem(s).
1. The idiot LFS owner had them in with two wild wrasses and one of the wrasses was repeatedly biting the male. There are about 10 bite marks on the male.
2. They refuse to eat. This morning the male's bite marks are infected. He's got a white cloudy coating all along his body where the bite marks are.
3. Can you give me some advice on what to treat him with? I've got them in a 5 gal hospital tank and treating with Nitrofurazone. I am not sure if that is the best or effective medication for this problem.
4. The female looks good and is starting to strike at food~ Rods, mysis etc.
5. Please don't "suggest" different meds. If you're sure, then tell me.
I've also got Kanamycin on hand in the medicine cabinet.
Thank you in advance for your help,
L.

 

[Costa reefing]

Personally i dont like using meds, unless its the fish has some sort of parasite or something that can't be cured with TLC. If you use meds and try to treat for something that the fish does not have it does more harm than good.

In this case i recommend you keep feeding them Rod's about 2 times per day & maintain good water quality in that tank.

Clowns are VERY hardy fish, they cant take a beating and bounce back to health. When they are newly introduced to a tank and under stress (in this case from the bites) its normal for them not to eat the 1st couple of days. Now if its been 2 weeks and they still won't eat, that a problem and something else could be affecting them.

 

[lkc]

Point taken. However, I was really concerned with the whitish coating on his body. He was starting to keel over this morning. If they would just eat, all the problems would resolve themselves. Thanks for the reminder.
L.

 

[Costa reefing]

Whats your salinity at? Depending on what it is, lowering it might help

& how long have you had them?

 

[MarinaP]

Nitrofurazone should work. You seem to be on the right track.

 

[lkc]

Costa - My salinity is exactly 1.025. I hadn't thought of lowering it.....that's a thought tho. I got them only last Sunday. So, that was 4 days without any food. No wonder he got an infection.

Guess what? They started eating last night. I gave them PE Mysis - too big. Regular mysis and Rod's, some Nutramar Ova (shrimp Eggs) Some pellets and flakes, I threw in the kitchen sink. They are eating, but they don't yet have that "killer" instinct. I dump in the food, give them 20 minutes, vacuum the bottom and change out about 50% water. I think they're comfortable.
On the male, the white gunk is coming off in strips. They're much more active so, I think they're gonna make it.

 

[Costa reefing]

Thats good to hear