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Recovery after jumping out of tank

23 16:43:54

Question
Hello,
My 4-inch Shubunkin goldfish jumped tank last week. I'm not sure how long it was on the floor. It was still breathing when I found it, though it was very dry and stiff. I put it back in the tank and it floated, very stiff, but right side up. I quarantined it and added Stress Coat and Melafix, changing the water every 24 hours. It has been 10 days and the fish has regained all its motion but lost parts of the fins that were on the floor--I assume it was dead skin sloughing off. The side of its body that was against the floor seems to have lost a layer of skin + scales. The color is completely gone. There are a couple of patches of cottony white on that side as well, and I can't tell whether it's a fungus that has taken hold in the meantime, or just more dead skin coming off. The fish has started eating again and is increasingly active, although it spits out 4 out of 5 food pellets. Do you have any advice about how I can help it continue its recovery? Should I treat it for fungus just in case? I've read elsewhere that fins can grow back...is this true? I'd appreciate any advice!

Thanks very much.

Answer
The cottony stuff sounds like a fungus. Get something to remove it.
Scales are like skin and should grow back but keep the tank at a good 83F for a bit until he is fully healthy and get a cover for the tank (a sheet of glass works if your short on cash).