Oscar Help

[McStephy]

I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong place, or if I have failed to follow some newbie directives, but I am really concerned out about my fish.

I have a young Oscar, (3-4 inches) this morning when I woke up I found that he had tried to eat the Pleco that was in the tank with him, but was unable to swallow it completely. Oscar's mouth is gaping open, and the pleco's tail is hanging out of it.

I have no idea what to do, and I live in a really rural area. There is one vet within driving distance, and he does not see fish, nor will he offer me any information.

I know Plecos have spines, so I don’t think pulling trying to pull it out would be a good idea, and even if the spines weren’t an issue I don’t think I could hold Oscar steady enough to even try without hurting him. Or if it would even come out.


He was swimming around normally when I woke up, but in the past 20 minutes, he seems to have gotten lazy, and is just hovering in a corner at the bottom tank.

 

[Dogson]

Hmmm tricky one this?
I would probably say that alot of Vets wouldn't see fish as they probably regard them as insignificant, Sad but probably true unless anybody knows any different?
I'm unsure about the anatomy of plecs do they all have spines, which kind do you have and how big is it? I think the only thing you can do is hang tight and see how nature deals with it. The Plec I doubt will survive if its been in there for some time head first if you try and remove it you may kill the Oscar?
I think you may be powerless to do anything you'll just have to see if the Oscar can either swallow it or regurgitate it?

 

[england]

sorry to hear this, unfortunatly you should never keep anything small or at least a 1/3rd of the oscars size, I personally would try to pull it out slowly, its hard but it could choke on it, deeds been done now,

 

[minxfishy]

Im with nelly, slowly pull the plec from its mouth, if you can see spines, try to bend them as you pull it out. An Oscar will eat anything that it can fit in its mouth and clearly even that which doesnt fit. Try to net him (and the plec), then gently but firmly hold the Oscar around the head area before pulling.

 

[McStephy]

I had a feeling I should not put the Pelco in with Oscar, but I read online in several places that Oscars wouldn't eat Plecos... Oh well, I should have trusted my own judgement.


Thank you very much for your imput... I really hope he will pull through. He is up and about again, I hope that is good sign.

If he starts to look distressed I might try to remove it. I don't think I can just sit by and watch him slowly choke to death.

Should I use a clean small hand towel to help steady him? Or would my hands be better?

 

[youngfisher]

They way i see it is.. (sorry if it sounds harsh)

Try getting it out of the mouth - If the oscar is choking then it properly will die, so I think slowly removing it from its mouth is your only hope. (i could be wrong) but you dont want the oscar to die and think to yourself "I didnt do everything I could of done".

 

[minxfishy]

Clean cloth might help you if your a bit squeamish. I wouldnt leave him with it hanging out, he might not choke, but if he cant swallow it, it could go nasty just being left there, plus he wont be able to eat anything else.

 

[youngfisher]

And definatly your hands, a towel may rip its gills off. (i think) but personally I would use ur hands

 

[McStephy]

If I can't pull it out, would cutting as much off the tail as possible help in any way? I have no idea where the throat/stomach are in a fish.

Okay, I'll go with my hands.. I was just worried about him slipping out. I don't mind touching him, I just am afraid of droping him.

 

[minxfishy]

No that could just leave the bit thats stuck in his mouth there. Honestly, if you gently pull it out, it should come away easily enough.

 

[holidayinn]

Imo only the O can be saved, never been in this situation but have heard of it a few times before. From what i've heard the plecs head will probably be chewed up, so it can't be saved. Like Minxy says turn and pull, personally I would use a small cloth to pull the plec, so its all done in one quick-ish manoeuvre. If the O can't close its mouth after then it will prob meet its demise, but taking the plec out is the only chance of survival...only writing what i've read b4, good luck

 

[youngfisher]

Let us know what happens good luck.

 

[McStephy]

Thank you all so much for your help. I am going to try and remove it.

Obviously, I should do it as quickly as possible, but how long can I safely keep him out of water?

 

[minxfishy]

He will be fine out of water for a while, net him, place on a cloth on table, hold down firmly and pull, shouldnt take more than 2/3 minutes once netted.

I had a plec outta water for over 30 minutes yesterday (accident btw) and he is no worse for wear.

 

[McStephy]

Thank you.

I'll update when I am finished.