pellet stuck in 10 week old guppy's mouth

[Joby]

I fed my guys at 7pm and they had a mixture of micro pellets and bbs. About an hour and a half later I noticed one of the females with her mouth wedged open and the edge of a pellet in the opening. These things swell about double their size when in the water and I'm afraid she can't get it out. She can't close her mouth or do anything so I guess she can't grind it up so she can either spit it out or swallow it. She tried for a while but has just given up now. I've tried to take it out very carefully with a cocktail stick and a pin but only got a small chunk off it.

Will she just slowly die or do you think there is a chance she may actually swallow it? Do I leave her to it or would it be kinder to put her to sleep? She's contained in a baby trap for now as the others kept pecking at her, especially her mouth, but no chance they can reach the pellet as its so far back.

These pellets were meant for the platy and betta but I guess this greedy female decided she was grown up enough to take one on!

Any help or advice greatly received

 

[wuvmybetta]

Over time in the water it should soften and disolve and she should be able to swallow it. For future feedings you can put the pellets in a sandwich baggie and smash them with the underside of a spoon before feeding them to the younger fish.

 

[a.i.m]

I defo agree that the pellet will soften up within time and the fish should be albe to spit it out or swollow it. keep us informed! B)

 

[Joby]

Hi guys thanks for that

She did spit it out eventually. I had to put her in a baby trap as she was being picked on by the other fish, probably after the pellet Released her back in with the others and she seemed ok but a bit quiet and her lips looked a bit white! I put some salt in just in case I had hurt her trying to get it out but this morning she's great, swimming around with the others. Was really worried as she's one of 7 that is being sold to my lfs next week and I didn't want to be sending her out if she was poorly.

Thanks for the tip on crushing the pellets Wuv. I don't normally put them in for these guys but they had a small female betta and a platy in with them which I was giving the pellets to. Female betta is now in with my new one and the platy is going in with the adult guppies today.

 

[Carolinesugar]

Glad to hear that all went ok in the end.

im sure her lips will go back to normal after a lil while, its prob just a case of bad blood circulation after having her mouth open 4 so long.

Hope shes all ok in time for sale

 

[Joby]

LOL! yes I thought that about her white lips too

she's back to normal now and swimming around this morning so I'll bag them up and take them in as soon as I get my lazy son out of bed!