Hermit crab stabbed my fish

[bellanavis]

My hermit crab stabbed one of my fish, and the hole where he stabbed him is getting bigger. The fish seems ok, swims, eats, everything seems normal, except the huge hole on his side. Anyone know of anything I can do?
Thanks,
Nikki

 

[kreach]

What kind of hermit crab do you have in your tank? And did you actually see him stab your fish? What kind of fish is it and what other fish/inverts do you have in your tank?

 

[bellanavis]

Its a huge red hairy hermit crab, and I saw him stab my huge domino damsel. The damsel seems ok, but the hole.

 

[therock0861]

Nikki,
First get rid of the hermit crab. Large hermits have been known to attack fish from what I understand. I would recommend that you quarintine the damsel in case he gets an infection then things could get ugly. Sorry about the bad news and it seems like you have had some pretty bad luck lately. Hope things take a turn for the better for you. Good luck!!!!
Joe

 

[bellanavis]

Thanks Joe for getting back to me.
I can't get rid of the hermit crab, he has been with me from my very first tank, the only thing that made it from the first tank. He has never went after a fish before, the damsel just insisted on sleeping in his cave with him, but not anymore, he learned his lesson. Anyways, I got medicine for the damsel, and I will be putting him in the hospital tank tomorrow, after I get the tempature up, the heater went off, so I am going to let it warn back up overnight. The lady at the fish store said he would be ok after this medicine, so I hope she is right.
Nikki

 

[therock0861]

Nikki,
Ok sounds like he may have been protecting his territory so maybe I mis-judged your little buddy. Hope it works out for you!
Joe

 

[bellanavis]

Thanks for all your help. I hope he never does that again. And I hope this damsel gets better. Once again, thanks for all your help.
Nikki

 

[therock0861]

No problem glad I could try and help you out. Good luck with the Domino.

 

[bellanavis]

Thanks,
Nikki

 

[bellanavis]

Ok, I got MarOxy, the lady at the fish store said it would help with the stab wound. I am trying to catch the domino and put him in the hospital tank, but he is too quick, and he keeps hiding in the rock. I have been trying to catch him for 2 days, and it seems impossable. Can I use this medicine in the whole tank, or will it hurt the other stuff in my tank?
Sorry, I can't spell very good, so if anything is spelled wrong, sorry.
Very frusterated,
Nikki

 

[therock0861]

Nikki,
Find out if it is a copper based medication. If it is not and there are no other metallic substances that would harm your corals then you should be ok. The main concern is the corals not the fish. HTH
Joe

 

[bellanavis]

It says nonmetalic, colorless concentrate for marine aquaria. Safe, stable and non-staining. So, I guess it is not copper based?
Nikki

 

[therock0861]

It sounds like it should work for you. How is the Harlequin holding up?
Joe

 

[bellanavis]

Wow, that was quick, thanks. The tusk still has not ate, that I know of. But, now 2 of my cleaner shrimp are gone, so maybe he is eating them. It is sad that they got eaten, but I guess if he is eating them, it is kinda good in a way? So, tomorrow, I will start the medicine in the big tank, I hope it works. And thanks for all your help.
Nikki

 

[therock0861]

LOL just happened to catch it before I signed off. I think if you tried them feeder shrimp you may have some luck. Hopefully everything works out for you. Good luck and you are welcome!!
Joe

 

[bellanavis]

Thanks,
Nikki