What The Heck?

[Shelster]

Just noticed one of my cories (salt and pepper) swimming vertically near the surface - I thought it was trying to get some food from the surface although I haven't yet fed them.
On closer inspection its missing both of its eyes!!!!!!

 

[techen]

Sounds like one of your fishes has eaten your corys eyes.

 

[This Old Spouse]

What other fish do you have in that tank?

 

[Shelster]

I think the culprit may be my 12 year old Pakistani loach! He's never done this before what is the kindest way to euthanise a fish with armour plating then? Now I'm worried about the other cories! They have been in the tank about 8 months

 

[This Old Spouse]

This is such a nasty topic, but when I need to euthanize a fish I'll net it and then take it over to the sink and smack the net against the side of the sink really hard. It's instantaneous and they don't suffer at all like putting them in alcohol or freezing them or even using clove oil. It's immediate and painless.
 
So sorry this has happened. I just hate losing fish.

 

[RCA]

I know you have had him 12 years, and don't SHOUT at me please, but don't Pakistani loaches need to be in groups to help prevent aggression?
 
Just a question, but why are you euthanizing the Cory?  Sad as it is, he will probably cope fine even without his eyes - obviously happy to be corrected if this is not the case.  It is just that there was a Bristlenose in my LFS that unfortunately had both eyes and his dorsal fin removed, he lives as a shop pet now.

 

[Shelster]

This is a job for the husband. Don't know whether I should move the others to my smaller tank now to be on the safe side! Ugh. I just thought cories would survive a whack, I normally get hubby to flick them on the head but thought the armour plating would protect him. Just not nice seeing him swim the way he is

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I would move your cories temporarily if you can. So sorry about your poor fish.

 

[techen]

I wouldn't keep a cory with no eyes, The risk of infections now are insanely high and no doubt will suffer from some kind of illness now.

 

[This Old Spouse]

 

[RCA]

Awe OK

I would hate to think of it suffering.
 

Cory.
Not a nice job at anytime Shelster, I know I found it very hard when I had to do it.  Thinking of you, your husband and your fish.

 

[Shelster]

RCA - the loach was purchased as one of two 12 years ago. It's 'friend' died 3years ago and he has never shown any signs of aggression before now.
I have two smaller polkadot loaches that came with a tank I bought as a hospital tank.(that was only 30 litres!)

I made the decision for euthanasia as he was constantly swimming confused as to his whereabouts and exhausting himself tbh. I didn't take the decision lightly, I am a VN and know when to take the call.

Thanks for the replies folks, hubby has now done the deed, it was instant too. *sigh*

Now keeping a very close 'eye' on the situation in the tank - pardon the pun.

IF I decide to remove the remainder of my cories into my 54litre, will they be ok with my pygmy s who are a quarter the size?

Thanks for advice.

 

[This Old Spouse]

I would think it would be a better idea to find a new home for the loach rather than disrupting everything else. Just my thought. 
 

to the eyeless cory.

 

[Shelster]

Ugh, I don't know anyone with a tank big enough and he is my oldest fish boooo.

 

[AshP1986]

Could he go in the 30l alone?