https://www.chewy.com/education/fish/general/aquarium-fish-injuries
Aquarium fish can suffer injuries from various causes, including fighting, poor handling, and accidents.
Common injuries include torn fins, missing scales, damaged eyes, and dislocated jaws. Handling fish improperly, such as chasing them or using the wrong type of net, can lead to abrasions, detached scales, or torn fins.
Wild caught fish may also have pre-existing damage from capture and shipping, but minor injuries, like torn fins, typically heal quickly as long as the fish is eating and behaving normally. In cases of fighting, species known for fin nipping or territorial aggression can cause wounds that heal once the aggressive fish is removed.
Injuries from failed predation attempts or collisions with aquarium decorations can also occur, with the latter often resulting in minor wounds to the head or body.
Treating physical damage in fish is generally straightforward, as scales and fins heal rapidly, but serious injuries, such as damage to the jaws or deep lesions, may require more attention.
If the injury is severe, such as visible blood or muscle damage, bacterial and fungal treatments should be used to prevent infections.
Eye injuries may heal naturally in good water quality but can worsen under poor conditions, leading to complications like pop eye or even blindness.
Dislocated jaws, often caused by aggressive jaw pulling between fighting fish, are particularly problematic, as they cannot be easily repaired and may require euthanasia if the fish cannot feed properly.
To prevent injuries, it's important to provide appropriate tank mates, avoid rough handling, and ensure the aquarium is suitable for the species being kept.
Chewy editorial team provides guidance on how to recognize, manage, and prevent fish injuries so you can maintain a safer, healthier tank environment for all its inhabitants.
