SFE escaped from tank

[lorin]

My snowflake eel escaped Sunday morning (7 am). The eel was out of the tank for up to 4 or 5 hours, I am not sure how long. I found the eel on the floor dried up and it was unable to move. I placed the eel back into the tank and his gills started moving. Now 18 hours later, the eel looks bad. The color is returning to most areas but there are still several white patches that are possibly dried mucus and skin. My concern is that the eel is laying on its side and seems to be weakening as time goes on. The eel has been breathing very hard since I placed it back into the tank. What can I do? I have had this eel for 2 years and cannot lose him.

 

[lorin]

Also should I use some type of water conditioner like NovAqua or Stress Coat in the tank? I currently soak the eels food in Zoe and Zoecon, but the eel is not eating at this time.

 

[eng50]

I feel terrible for you! You may want to repost in the aggresive forum, probably get a response there. I hope it is doing better
If nothing else maybe this post will bump it up and someone will help you!
Bill

 

[lorin]

Thanks Eng50, As of 7 AM Tuesday the eel is swimming around as usual. It is hard to believe how resilient these fish are! The lights are still out so I cannot tell how the skin looks at this time. I think I will wait a day or two before I feed it. My only concern now is secondary infection. The skin looks like it is peeling in some areas. I am sure that the fish has lost most if not its entire protective mucus layer. Can anyone suggest how I can protect it from infection?

 

[simm]

Iv seen this before. After one had done this a few days later he was back up and swimming normal. However there was a few patches of white area where it had dried up and did not heal correctly. It was fine just discolored the skin. Streee coat may help.

 

[lorin]

simm, did the white patches clear up over time or are they permanent.

 

[karenjo]

I had this happen to me in my first swf adventure. The patches will heal and stress coat ccant hurt. You better watch out, if your eel found his way out the first time, it will again. Mine did and I lost it the 2nd time. Poor eel.

 

[simm]

Lorin the patches did heal but in some areas yuo could tell because of the faded skin.