My fish got stuck in filter, tail injured and not moving. How to help?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Fish | Unknown - Fish | Female
My fish has got stuck in the filter, I have released her from the filter but she is breathing heavily and has damaged her tail. She’s gone to the bottom of the tank, is not moving or eating. I have put her in a separate tank so the other fish do not bother her. Her tail is red and looks like it’s filled with blood. What can I do to help her?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on March 18th, 2018
Keep her in the hospital tank until she heals. maintain adequate water quality and temperature via frequent water changes, filtration and the use of a small, submersible heater. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to reduce stress, increase gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve up to 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess fin condition.
5Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on January 6th, 2019
The best you can do is to maintain pristine water quality and proper temperatures. If she is not a salt sensitive species, you can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) as a general tonic. It can reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection/injury and aid in any recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt pr gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water. Gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 14 days then reassess the condition. Perform partial water changes afterwards to reduce salinity. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
have a little fish came home at 4pm and it was on the wave maker not quite moving it was stuck on it the side that was on the wave maker looks horrible moved to hospital tank she was moving around by on her side trying to move her tail with difficaul
The best you can do is to maintain pristine water quality and proper temperatures. If she is not a salt sensitive species, you can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) as a general tonic. It can reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection/injury and aid in any recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt pr gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water. Gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 14 days then reassess the condition. Perform partial water changes afterwards to reduce salinity. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Last Monday, I got 3 bleeding heart tetras. All seemed well. When I checked on the fish last evening, I noticed 1 of the bleeding heart tetras was missing her tail. I know she does not have fin rot, as her other fins look healthy. It didn't look
Keep her separated and maintain pristine water quality to aid in recovery. You can add some StressCoat and 1 teaspoon of plain aquarium salt (not table or Epsom salt) per gallon of water. Treat with salt for 14 days maximum then reassess fin condition. Once she has healed, return her to the tank. Try to keep them in groups of 4 or more.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi. My back moor goldfish is currently about six years old and I have grown quite attached to him. I have had him along with some other fish for half my life. But sadly he has developed a large slit on the lower half of his tail. He is not a fan tai
Fin damage can usually be managed by providing pristine water quality and chemistry. I see you have several goldfish in the tank. Goldfish produce larger than average bio-load (wastes) than other fish. This requires a large tank, at least 20 gallons for one fish and 10 additional gallons for each extra fish. The filter should be rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. Check the water chemistry using a home test kit or by submitting a sample for testing. Most pet or fish stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for readings of 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 40 ppm or less. It looks like you have some live plants in the tank, so nitrates won't be an issue unless they are very high. Perform partial water changes daily to stabilize chemistry and improve or maintain water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Brands for conditioners include Prime, AmQuel Plus, NovAqua, StressZyme and
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have convict cichlid fish she was going through a fin rot stage noticed that her sister was biting her opened wound on her tail she wasn't looking good so I took her out put her in a hospital tank the 1st time she jumped out of the net and the seco
Leaving the hospital tank on the floor is fine if that is less stressful for your sick dish. Be sure the top is secured to prevent her from jumping out or other pets from getting in. Survey the area around it for any negative stimuli, such as loud noise, cool drafts or strong vibrations. Make sure the water is sufficiently heated as well. Treat with a combination of a broad spectrum antibiotic and plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt). You can find an antibiotic in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess Leela's condition. Be sure to maintain pristine water quality and keep her as stress free as possible. If you don't want to medicate, you can try a combination of Pimafix, Melafix and StressCoat or similar conditioner. Follow l
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My goldfish's tail is damaged. The fin looks bitten off as there are exposed spines where the tail fin should be. There is also a red color that looks to be blood on the base of the tail, as well as the side of the dorsal fin close to the tail. It is
By your description, it could be fin rot and a bacterial infection. Clean water is key in treating any infection. Check water chemistry using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a 40ppm or less nitrate level. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and maintain water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. A bit of aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to reduce stress, treat minor infection and aid in any recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess fin condition. More water changes can be done afterwards to reduce salinity.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My daughter put three betta females together.. They were fighting to the point where fins were lost.. I took the aggressive betta out.. The injured two are together getting along. What can I do to help them heal?
Maintain pristine water quality. That's the cornerstone for healing and recovery. Use plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) as a general tonic to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat with salt for no more than 14 days then reassess fin condition. Perform partial water changes afterwards to decrease salinity. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Bettas do best between 78 F and 80 F.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Sarassa comet goldfish jumped out of the tank and laid on the floor for about 45 minutes before being found. He swims and eats but the side that was face up dried out and now it looks concerning. Is there anything I can do to help him? Will he sur
Consider placing him in a hospital tank. Maintain pristine water quality. That's the foundation for healing. Perform partial water changes every few days if necessary. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Add StressCoat or similar product to promote a slime coat. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used to reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess his condition. It will take time for him to heal. He may not fully heal, but it he can eat and swim, he should be fine.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My goldfish has redness around their top fin, is holding their top fin, and has had a crooked tail for a week. What should I do?
This could be a bacterial or fungal infection. If there are other fish in the tank, trauma cannot be ruled out. if there are other fish, ideally Tiny should be removed to a quarantine or hospital tank for treatment. If not, you can treat Tiny in the main tank. First, confirm adequate water quality. You can use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may offer water testing for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. perform partial water changes, no more than 30% total volume at a time, using conditioned and temperature matched water. Goldfish are cold water fish that do best between 68 and 74 F. The filter should be rated for at least twice the volume of the tank. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used to reduce stress, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt per 5 gallons in a cup or two of two of tank water and gently pour it in. Treat for 10-1
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is there away I can help one of my little grandfish he or she had her his eye bitten off its not bleeding or anything its just gone from one of the other siblings in the tank I put him her in with her him aunt in a hospital tank aunt isn't happy abou
Maintain pristine water quality and stable chemistry. If the fish is not a scaleless fish, you can use plain aquarium salt as a general tonic. It will reduce stress, increase gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition of the injured fish. Partial water changes can be performed afterwards to reduce salinity. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Chronos (my fish) seems to have a sore and a missing scale under his top fin, and up till now his top and bottom fins have sections that are see through but doesn't present any of the symptoms of fin or tail rot. He is in his "hospital" tank with bet
Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Maintain proper temperature as well. Both are important for treatment and recovery. Bettas are tropical fish and do best between 78 F and 80 F. Treat with the aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) for no more than 14 days in a row. Use no more than 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Reassess afterward 14 days. If necessary, an antibiotic, antifungal or 'all in one treatment' can be used. Look in the Aquarium section for these products. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Have A Vet Question?
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
