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

If it were my fish, I would dose Maracyn 1 and 2 in the water. The odds of infection setting in with such severe, large wounds to me are very great. While clean water and lots of it are definitely mandatory and might be all that is required for smaller wounds and fin damage to heal, this poor fish has a huge portion of raw tissue exposed and at risk. Bacteria are ever present in the tank in large quantities just waiting for opportunity. I think if you waited without antibiotics, by the time you really know it's infected, the infection will involve such a large part of the fish that the fish will not be able to overcome the infection.
 
Poor guy- yea, the pink and red is a sign of things worsening. I'd get an antibiotic in there. I'd trust Pinks opinnion with what to use as I am not sure what I'd do. I'd probably just ask the guys at my LFS since I trust their advice and they've never steered me wrong, but this isnt always the case at fish stores.
 
Danomind said:
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
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Do understand your concern. It is not easy task to hold the shark still. But you dont have to take the fish out to apply ointment.When you do such massive water changes (I really dont see a reason for such massive water changes though; stress factor; unless testing reveals otherwise. Even then, smaller but more frequent pwc would be more comfortable for fish), easily can apply ointment since water level is low. Easier to hold down the fish to apply.
Either that hold the fish at top of the water for application. I know it can spalsh water all over the places and you may get drenched. No big Deal!
In case of such emergency, one should take drastic measures although it seems difficult task to carry out. At least with application, it may slow down/stop the progreess. Since your fish is big, I would apply whatever I can (even more than usual) just to ensure enough is applied.
Melafix would not be my choice for Such Big OPENED Wound.
For water, either Maracyn or Maracyn II but not both unless someone can VERIFY that both can be used together without any adverse Side Effects.

Hope all goes well!
 
Cerianthus seems very adamant about the oinment, although I've never heard of this method being used before, and am reluctant to support it, I'd like to know if there is anyone out there to second or agree that this is, indeed, a safe and effective method to use on injured fish, or if it is over-kill. Is there an article on it somewhere?

I would assume since fish process water and are maintained, in the water that if you need medication, a powder or liquid form in their environment would be more than be adequate as they breath and swim in it every second of the day.

Also, I have NO IDEA why Cerianthus would even suggest that extra clean water is not needed for an injury!!! That is just a ridiculous statement. I understand perhaps you have reason for your ideas on oinment, and if it's worked for you, it works for you, but to state that large water changes are not needed is obsurd.

PS: Cerianthus, I swear I am not wanting to argue, and I am in no way wanting to start anything, I'm just curious as to why you think so differently from the accepted methods of treatment. Please don't be offended, I dont want to rub anyone the wrong way- it's just very different.

Dano- NOTE: When you do medicate, dont forget to remove carbon from your filter!
 
Cerianthus said:
For water, either Maracyn or Maracyn II but not both unless someone can VERIFY that both can be used together without any adverse Side Effects.
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I can verify that Maracyn and Maracyn 2 can be used together without any adverse side effects. They were designed by Mardel to be used together if necessary. One addresses gram - bacteria while the other addressed gram + bacteria. No worries there.

As for the antibiotic ointment....I've suggested this myself on a couple of occasions for small wounds. It would take a ton of product to cover that wound! So that's what would hold me back. It is spot on instant medication to the wound directly though. Today it is even recommended to use Liquid Bandage on your fish scrapes and wounds too but i think there too only within reasonable size. And with that kind of huge open wound, extreme clean water for healing really is better than water a couple of days old with a couple of days worth of fish waste in it.
 
pinkertd said:
I can verify that Maracyn and Maracyn 2 can be used together without any adverse side effects. They were designed by Mardel to be used together if necessary. One addresses gram - bacteria while the other addressed gram + bacteria. No worries there.

As for the antibiotic ointment....I've suggested this myself on a couple of occasions for small wounds. It would take a ton of product to cover that wound! So that's what would hold me back. It is spot on instant medication to the wound directly though. Today it is even recommended to use Liquid Bandage on your fish scrapes and wounds too but i think there too only within reasonable size. And with that kind of huge open wound, extreme clean water for healing really is better than water a couple of days old with a couple of days worth of fish waste in it.
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I dont think it would take that much to cover head area of even 24" paloon shark. Problem is that application of ointment is not that easy. One tube should last quite a while and much cheaper than Antibiotic made for fish.

As far as waste product of fish, I wouldnt worry since in its original tank (well-established). I do have concerned for free floating/multiplying pathogens in the water. Since verified, why not have Maracyn(s) in the water to eradicate water borne pathgens along with ointment.
When medicating, keep close eye on water parameters. Although mfr claim their antibiotic wont disturbed the bio-bed but have had occassional experiences where erythromyacin did disturbed and Maracyn is erythromyacin.
 
VivaLaVics said:
Cerianthus seems very adamant about the oinment, although I've never heard of this method being used before, and am reluctant to support it, I'd like to know if there is anyone out there to second or agree that this is, indeed, a safe and effective method to use on injured fish, or if it is over-kill. Is there an article on it somewhere?

I would assume since fish process water and are maintained, in the water that if you need medication, a powder or liquid form in their environment would be more than be adequate as they breath and swim in it every second of the day.

Also, I have NO IDEA why Cerianthus would even suggest that extra clean water is not needed for an injury!!! That is just a ridiculous statement. I understand perhaps you have reason for your ideas on oinment, and if it's worked for you, it works for you, but to state that large water changes are not needed is obsurd.

PS: Cerianthus, I swear I am not wanting to argue, and I am in no way wanting to start anything, I'm just curious as to why you think so differently from the accepted methods of treatment. Please don't be offended, I dont want to rub anyone the wrong way- it's just very different.

Dano- NOTE: When you do medicate, dont forget to remove carbon from your filter!
Click to expand...

I am not saying that clean wate is not important. Of course it is. My point is stability of water is more important at this moment. So called clean wate still harbor and will multiply pathogens no matter how much water you change. If water is so clean, STERILE, it can not support life. Another important thing is not to do Massive WC at once (drastic water chemistry changes does pose more stress on already suffering fish).


What I post here is from what I learned from books, articles and on hand experiences. I dont impose on anyone. I am here to help just like rest of you. I dont have to share my knowledge with others but I am doing so that someone/fish can benefit, if willing, in a case such as this.
This is like wound received from battlefield where adequate facilities are not avail just like we dont have way to tell what exactly is going on with wound.
One can not just argue Clean Water is Good enough. Sometimes Such simple thoughts can cause more problems. I've seen massive WC causing lose of, at least disturbed bio-activities which will add to the existing problems. I am on higher scale (both as hobbyist and in commercial level, not retail).
I do not want to argue either, just share what I know for the fish's sake.

Would you agree best solution is properly injecting fish with proper med once determined the pathogens involved?
Unfortunately we do NOT have the resources to do that although I have tried such injection on large fish when received similar wound to this incident on numerous occassions with mixed results, perhaps my educated guess on antibiotics was not always on the button..
I do not remember Pharmaceutical aspect (determining dosage depending on body weight) of detemining the dosage as well as I used. Thus Cant recommend better solution that what I've posted.

Please feel free to comment! That's one way to learn more!

Hope Shark recovers!
 
I was exactly thinking if that fish was a human, he'd by on IV antibiotic solution no if ands or buts about it.
 
I just briefly skimmed this thread. You have have an 18" Paroon in a 68 gallon tank?

What is the filtration like on that aquarium? You would probably need do to 50% water changes each day in order to keep the water clean enough for him to have a chance of healing.
 
My recommendation would be to do 50% water changes everyday and do heavy doses of an antibiotic. Keep the lights off the tank too. Don't forget to remove your carbon before you dose with meds. That wound will get infected (if it isn't already) & kill the fish unless it is treated - there's almost no way around it.
 
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