what should I do?

[marinkafuschia]

my favorite fish (loki the eel) jumped ship and I didn't find him till just now, I put him in a QT tank I had running and his breathing has improved but hes not moving, hes covered in lint and laying on his side. his breathing has gotten better but I'm worried he wont come back all the way and that his gills are damaged beyond repair. I dont want to euthanize just yet but Have clove oil on hand if he dosnt look better soon. please help. I have no idea what to do for him. has any one had fish that have come back from something like this?

 

[tidioute06]

How long was it out of the tank?

 

[chefjamesscott]

i would definitely not be to quick with the oil give him a day or so

 

[marinkafuschia]

ooh my boys moving! yay!!!!! I have no idea how long he was out, normally I'm great at hearing any splashing. I hate that I missed this one, hes jumped out before too but that time I was right there. well hes trying to wiggle around. should I add salt, and when he gets better should I use some meds? I have maracyn-2 would that help in case he got some abrasions from the floor, I didnt see any but...

 

[dino_eel]

what kind of fish is it?, i had the same thing happen to me with a weather loach, the little guy made a complete recovey

 

[marinkafuschia]

hes a peacock eel. today he looks much better, not under the gravel or swimming wildly like he normally does but other than that he looks much better than when I found him! poor little guy, I'm glad hes so tough, his slime coating is coming off though I hope it wont cause him too much discomfort till it grow back.

 

[summer_of_41]

I had a guppy do that. Since it was evident that she had suffered brain damage for being out too long (she did not recover well), I put her down. I hope your fish pulls through.

 

[Star_Rider]

he should be shedding his slime coat..if it was covered in lint the lint was in the slime coat.

I would keep him in fresh water and see if he recovers.

I am hesitant to suggest salt even tho it is used in times of stress.

 

[Sploke]

I would just keep it in FW, no meds or treatment other than good clean water, and give it a few days to fully recover. Its gill membranes might have dried out a bit, so it will take a while to fully recover (hence heavy breathing).