What is the best treatment for a traumatic injury to a fish's gills?

Question

I have been looking around but all of the possible answers I've found are either very technical in their language or they're more specific about diseases or illnesses that can damage a fish's gills. This isn't actually for a pet fish so don't worry! I'm not asking how to care for a real fish at home instead of seeking out a professional. I'm working on a creative writing project for an AP English class and one of the characters is an aquarist who works in the aquatic section of the zoo. He's supposed to be caring for a blue tang with a gill injury when he's introduced but I can't find any details for the best treatment course for injuries not sustained as a result of a disease of some kind. The entire premise of the short story is some people have been breaking into the zoo and harming some of the aquatic life so it can't be the result of a disease. I'd appreciate any information about the best way to treat traumatic gill injuries in fish. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello! I am a marine biologist and I have worked with some fish with gill damage before. First, I would add an oxygen bubbler (or a few) to the tank to ensure what remains of the fish's gills can come in contact with the most oxygen possible. Secondly, I would add a bacterial tank starter (often called "bacteria in a bottle") to replicate the natural bacteria profile that most fish would live in while in the wild. This is really important for the fish's overall health. Third, I would add an antibiotic and/or anti-fungal treatment to the water (after you finish the the bacteria in a bottle treatment). Although I can't give a more specific answer as to what kind of antibiotic to use without first hearing more details about the fish's disease, this will help prevent the infection from progressing. There are many websites that help aquarists figure out what disease their fish have on google, and once you research the symptoms, you can usually find a specific antibiotic that will help. Hope this helps!