URGENT: Shark's skin coming off/infected?? Help please!

At my store we use a product called Melafix for flesh conditions. It is designed to deal with external bacterial infections. Most likely this is what is wrong with the shark if the condition arose from an injury I agree with vivalavics about a quarantine tank setup. Use as much of your original water in the quarantine tank and then add the proper dosage of medication. Good luck to you. I hope your friend will be well.
 
Melafix would be the best choice if an antibiotic were to be used.

How is the shark doing?
 
Melafix is not an antibiotic. I would think twice in this situation; one thing it certainly is is an irritant, if the effect it has on my nasal membranes are any guide. There is evidence, I gather, that it works, but I can't imagine it would be anything other than extremely stressful for the fish (i.e. painful) when it's as bad as this.

One thing which seems to be being forgotten somewhere is that the primary means by which this fish will fight off infection is its own immune system; DrVader's advice is aimed at giving that immune system as much chance as possible to work - an as clean as possible, reasonably stable environment. Perhaps partly due to the fact that they are permeable skinned poikilothermic animals, fish are far more severely shocked than homeothermic, waterproof skinned non-aquatic creatures like us by sudden changes in their environment.
 
Seems like we could learn alot from Karl! :D Would to agree that no medication, clean water and good diet are the best options for a fish this badly wounded?
 
Seems the most logical course to me, too. Hope the poor guy makes it.
 
Last edited:
Hi all,

The shark is isolated in his normal tank, the cichlid and other tankmates are removed...I've been changing the water daily for around 75-80%, and the fish is eating bloodworms better than before (as he didn't eat before).

However, his skin, the white flaps have been peeling off gradually, some even floating around the water (which I scooped out), but in the previous pictures, his white/fuzz wound has now become PINK and RED...What is this? Signs of infection? Worsening?

And the wound seemed to be getting DEEPER, I can now see a concaved wound patch on his head, which was not like that before (the peeling)...

So is the peeling a BAD sign?

Thanks for everyone's concern, I'll try and post a picture. And regarding the ointments, the very reason I didn't move the shark to the hopsital tank and instead moved his tankmates is because of the added stress which it may cause...Don't think I can even touch him without it splashing about.

Dano
 
OMG :( poor baby!! I hope he starts to heal soon, that just looks aweful, and very painful. I will keep you guys in my thoughts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom