injuried fish

Question
Hi Jaymie,
I contacted you about 2 weeks ago about a goldfish I have that was attacked in my pond. I felt his swim bladder was injured along with some flesh wounds. He isn't swimming any better. I have tried the pea treatment 2 times feeling that I hadn't been successful feeding him the second pea, both times he spits it out. He is losing scales and his head is not getting better and I not so sure it isn't getting worst. I started the melafix again. I feel he is beating himself up in the tank flopping around like he does, he is use to having a pond. I have add more water to the tank in hopes that he would have more room. I also looked at the hole in the head disease on the web and his head doesn't look like that his was definitely a puncture. He is in a 20 gallon tank, that was the biggest I had. I appreciate all the help, he is such a beautiful fish I have really enjoyed him over the years. We also have had a bear in the neighbor hood maybe he tried to get him?

Answer
Judy,

Sorry to hear your fish isn't getting better. One suggestion, is to go to your fish store and buy an antibiotic. This might sound off the wall, but excuse my southernness, but if you can, fill your tub and put him in there. Make sure you have a stopper since some tubs eventually empty its water. That will give him a bigger area to swim. I don't know how big he is but something tells my he is a tad bit large. If there was a bear, there is a good chance he tried to get him and now the injury is infected. You can also add a bit of aquarium salt to his water, that's what I do when treating one of my 12 adult Betta fish. Please let me know if any of this helps, and I will try to come up with something more if needed.