Rescued a Fish this Morning

[mandi]

I could barely believe my eyes...

I got up and turned on the lights in my tank and was looking at the fish. I look down and see a fish tail ... sticking OUT of the "trapdoor" of one of my apple snails! Apparently one of my 2-month old platy fry had been picking on the snail, and he snapped his trapdoor shut -- on the fish's head.

I had no idea how long he was stuck, but I figured he was dead. I reached in and grabbed the snail, and pulled it out of the water -- thats when the fish's tail started flapping. It was still alive! So I carefully used my fingernail to pry open the snail's shell just enough for the fish to slide free.

I put him in a hospital tank by himself. He has a white mark from where he was pinched, but he seems to be swimming and eating ok.

Has anyone had this happen before? I thought it was one of the strangest things I've ever seen, and I really hope I never have to do that again!

 

[WILDER]

That's a strange story, glad the fish made it, i would add some melafix or salt to his tank.

 

[~FairyAngelFish~]

Yikes! I'd never have the courage to pull the thing out. That poor fishy!



... overall,

 

[Arashi]

Geez, thats the first time I've ever heard of something like this happening! Congrats to you for saving the little fishy. How is he doing now?

I really hope my Apple Snail dosen't pull anything like this...

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Ah, the snail bites back.

That's really very strange.

 

[yvez9]

The snail I had in my 20 gallon was wuite big (apple snail) and when I would move something around him, he would curl up and hide in his shell, often holding on to gravel while he did it.

I guess your fish was just at the wrong spot

glad to hear he's ok

 

[mandi]

Thanks for the idea about the salt. I'll do that.

Here's a pic (sorry its kinda blurry) -- you can see he has a definate line where he was caught ...

I've been giving away most of my platys and/or selling them back to the LFS, but I have a feeling if this lil guy makes it, I'm going to be keeping him. He's quite a little trooper.

 

[nino]

good thing you have fingernails!! i might not have been able to do it with my lil stubbies