HELP! Injured Clown

[drhyne]

I have a large female clown that somehow got a HUGE slice in her side last night. It is a vertical cut that covers about 3/4 of her side just behind the fins and goes clean to the spine. I have NO IDEA what could have done this to her. The injury does not appear to hinder movement much. Today the slice is white ragged and has some purple clot looking things in it. She is also showing signs of stress. Black spots are appearing on her belly and tail.

Last night I started garlic feeding. I have one cleaner shrimp in the tank but there has been no interaction between it and the clown. Is there anything that can be done?

Please help!!! I don'y want her to die. She is part of a mated pair!
Thanx

D_.

 

[jhemdal1]

There isn't a lot that can be done for a slice injury on a fish like that. Secondary bacterial infection is a distinct possibility, and you could consider moving the fish to an isolation tank and treating with a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic. That said, as long as the fish's peritoneum (belly) wasn't punctured, it may heal well on its own. My concern would be what did this to the fish, so it doesn't happen again, or happen to the male clownfish - mantis shrimp and surgeonfish are two common causes. The other possibility is injury from tank decorations, but this is rare, something would have had to topple on her to cause that.

Jay