Help please!! - My goldfish has eaten another fish 😭

[Fishexpert1996]

Hi, all:

My fantail goldfish has eaten an algae eater yesterday evening (we know she is a greedy fish but this is taking it to another level). As you can see, the fish is stuck in its mouth with the tail hanging out. My goldfish is lethargic and idle, staying at the bottom of the tank.

I have tried removing the fish from its mouth using tweezers in my sink but it does seem well and truly lodged - it won’t budge out and I’m concerned I’ll damage the goldfish in the process.

Does anyone on here have any solution to this situation? I have also tried to feed the goldfish to see if it will spit it out - but it just swims around the tank hopelessly trying to eat the food.

Any help would be hugely appreciated, we adore our goldfish having had it for over 2 years (our oldest fish).

Aaron.

 

[Fishexpert1996]

Video here: https://share.icloud.com/photos/05eFwpq3-PuuSKPS4wb7bw8Kg

 

[GaryE]

I don't know what algae eater you have in that... goldfish, but it is a lesson for everyone here to look at it. The goldfish will survive, or not. There is nothing you can do.

I don't know of one single algae eating fish that should be kept with a goldfish. Goldfish poop like cows and like cooler temps and slower water than any of the commercially available algae eaters. Common plecos are the exception, but they are not efficient algae eaters and will out poop any goldfish.

Big fish eat little fish. I've seen adult goldfish eat juveniles, and it took them several days to digest.

 

[Fishexpert1996]

I’ve had them together for about a year now, no problems but yes, I hear your point - just didn’t think our goldfish could possibly eat a fish of this size!

 

[jesusjones]

Ha, those pesky goldfish. Don't worry about the goldfish, it will swallow it, eventually. Goldfish are like fish goats, they eat and chew on everything that fits in their mouths.

 

[Fishexpert1996]

my goldfish spat it out overnight - hoorah! big fish do eat small fish indeed.

 

[GaryE]

That whole question of how long they were together caught me out when years ago. I had 2 species in a tank for a year, then one day, I had one smug looking species feeling clever about what it had discovered, and fond memories of the smaller fish. A fish like a goldie, or a Satanoperca in my story isn't really a predator, but if they discover tankmates are edible and bite sized, they get really excited. They'll eat a shoal before you get home from work.

I always politely look a gift fish in the mouth. If its tankmates will fit, it will eventually figure that out. It can take a long time, and some fish never make the discovery, but most eventually do. If they're predators by nature, they are quick. Omnivores can be very slow.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Omnivores can be very slow.

Hey! Speak for yourself!