injured oranda

Question
Dear Amber,

Hello, I have a question about my injured oranda. I spent the night at my boyfriend's house last night,and when I got home this morning I found my oranda (brain) stuck inside one of the tank decorations. I also have an algae eater, and my algae eater was nipping/sucking on Brain's tail. I immediately got Brain loose, but his top fin and tail looks pretty shredded and damaged. I put Brain in his own tank for now, and I gave him a dose of Maracyn-Two. Right now he looks like he is trying to swim up, but he just cannot get himself up. Should I continue to give him the medication, or try something new? Also, do you think he will be able to heal?

Thank you so much for your help,

Sincerly,

DeAnna

Answer
Hello Deanna-

Brain would do best if you stopped the Maracyn (as he's not really sick) and started him on a dose of both Melafix (to regrow any damaged tissues) and aquarium salt (to prevent infection and speed recovery.) Be sure he's in fresh, clean water (about 50% from the tank and 50% new.) Dose the Melafix daily and the salt at every water change.

Hopefully, he should feel better soon!
-Amber Worman