My fish has open sores & bulging skin from bites. What to do?

A photo of the fish would be helpful if you can get one. It could be infection, injury or parasites. Any new fish, ideally, should be quarantined for at least 2 weeks before being staffed to the main tank. For now, quarantine the fish. Treat with a broad spectrum dewormer. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Maintain pristine water quality and add in some plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt). This will 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 for no more than 14 days then reassess the condition

Separate him into a smaller quarantine tank. You can use a broad spectrum antibiotic to treat him. Read package directions carefully and remove the carbon insert if necessary during g treatment. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used concurrently to aid healing. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of water into the tank. The Ich can be managed by gradually to about 86 F. Raise it no more than 1 degree per hour to prevent stress. This will speed up the life cycle of the parasite. Once the "dots" drop off your fish, you can vacuum the gravel daily and sanitize any tank furniture. Keep the temperature elevated for about two weeks to ensure resolution. Reduce the temp gradually after this time period. A medication such as API's QuickCure can also be used in conjunction with a temperature increase.

Separate him out into a hospital tank if possible. He could be injuring himself on tank furniture (plants, rocks, etc.). You can treat using a broad spectrum antibiotic such as Maracyn or Kanaplex. Find them in the aquarium section of the local Petco or fish store. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can also be used to aid healing. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 7-10 days then perform partial water changes to decrease salinity. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock.

It could be early ich (white spot) infection or another infection (bacterial or fungal). To be safe, separate him into a quarantine tank and monitor for any change. You can treat for ich as you did it in the past if indicated. Bacterial and fungal infections have different treatments, so I would be hesitant to recommend a specific medication without more information or a definitive diagnosis. You can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or Epsom salt). As a general tonic to reduce stress, increase gill function, treat minor infection of many types and to aid in recovery. This can be added to the quarantine tank at 1 teaspoon per gallon of water. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition.

Even though a picture of it would help to determine the nature of this wound more specifically and give you specific advices on how to give appropriate treatment. Generally speaking you can follow these guidelines: - set up quarantine tank: make sure the tank is well oxygenation and has some plants for hiding; - add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt per gallon; - add this product https://www.liveaquaria.com/product/4410/?pcatid=4410 as indicated; - leave your fish there and feed him regularly for 3-4 days until you don't see any improvement - If no results at all are seen after 4 days a check up would be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.

If you have another tank, it will make treatment easier. It will also preserve beneficial bacterial populations in the main tank since antibiotics may be used. The cornerstone of treatment and recovery is pristine water quality. Keep the water as clean as possible via filtration and regular partial water changes. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. You can find a broad spectrum antibiotic in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Once the fish has recovered, you can return it to the main tank. If you don't have a "hospital" tank, you can treat the main tank.

It may be a bacterial infection or trauma. Monitor for bullying since you have other fish. Most minor infections can be managed or resolved by maintaining pristine water quality. A bit of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to aid in recovery, reduce stress and improve gill function. Dissolve 1 tablespoon 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. If the condition is unchanged, consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.