Recovering fish with black markings

Question
Hi Chris,
My little buddy that was stuck in the decoration seems to be doing much better since we moved him into his own little tank with a filter and air bubbles in it.  We are still giving him the meds - he no longer looks like he is trying to get air at the top.  Even his fins seem to be repairing themselves.  My question is now he has developed black markings where he was injured  - at the bottom of his top fin and where he was scraped up.  Should we be concerned about this?  We are also hoping to move him back with his buddies this Friday - is that a good idea?
Thanks again!

Answer
Hi Carolyn;

Good job! I'm glad he's doing better. The black areas are from ammonia burns. The injuries allowed the ammonia to cause the burns more easily so that's why you don't see it on the uninjured areas. It should heal up just fine though. The black stuff is basically like "scabs" and it will slowly fade over the next two to four weeks. He should be able to be back with his buddies on Friday too. Watch and be sure they don't pick at him. Sometimes fish do that to new arrivals, especially with injured areas. Even if he's already lived with them. He may have to be by himself until he is totally healed if they bother him too much. It would help to release him at feeding time while the others are eating. It distracts them so he can get settled a little before they notice.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins



At Your Service;
Chris Robbins