BROKEN GATER, KILL IT OR KEEP IT ?

[demjor19]

do it's paired fins and caudal fin function narmally? is it feeding at all? it seems to be in very bad shape, but some fish do recover...at a glance it doesnt look like it will recover, but that's a call only you can make (you are the only one interacting with this fish and observing it's symptoms). all we can do is give you our opinions. good luck to your fish.

what size tank do you have this little guy in (if you dont mind me asking)?

 

[Rbacchiega]

Tough call, personally, if it looks like it's suffering, ie not eating as much, not swimming etc, it might be best to euthanize. Shibby too, as it's a nice looking fish

 

[hamato_yoshii]

I'd say keep it and moniter it's health, it may come back. Spizz's advice is good too, maybe try and seperate it.

 

[hbluehunter]

I personally would keep it "IF" it's eating and swimming ok.. If it can't swim or stops eating i'd say time for him to visit the aquarium in the sky...

 

[John Rambo]

do it's paired fins and caudal fin function narmally? is it feeding at all? it seems to be in very bad shape, but some fish do recover...at a glance it doesnt look like it will recover, but that's a call only you can make (you are the only one interacting with this fish and observing it's symptoms). all we can do is give you our opinions. good luck to your fish.

what size tank do you have this little guy in (if you dont mind me asking)?

The first post answers most of your Q's. It is still eating, but less, all paired fins are unaffected. I am assuming It wont recover, but was wondering if this handicapped state would be acceptable or just agony. It was in a 170 gallon, now in a 75 as it no longer swims at the surface except for occasional gulps of air every now and then.

 

[demjor19]

The first post answers most of your Q's. It is still eating, but less, all paired fins are unaffected. I am assuming It wont recover, but was wondering if this handicapped state would be acceptable or just agony. It was in a 170 gallon, now in a 75 as it no longer swims at the surface except for occasional gulps of air every now and then.

this is why we stress growing them out in smaller spaces. small gar tend to dart around in these large tanks and the result is often times similar to what has happened to yours.

if you honestly do not see the fish recovering and if it seems to be struggling to accomplish day to day activities then i would suggest euthanizing it. it's a terribly hard thing to do, but sometimes is just a necissary evil. my longnose went out like this...bummed me out big time. again...good luck to you both.

 

[ermgravy]

im with jordan 100% up till the point, id also consider long term houseing plans for ya gar? if u can deal with it for life then yes helping it if poss is the morally correct thing to do. Like jordan said its down to your best judgement and only u can make tha call....

 

[ermgravy]

ooops, sorry double post....

 

[KaraJo]

I would put it down...It is your choice of course, but if its eating less and cannot move its back end, I would say he is going to be suffering and it would be hard to make him do that for years to come. I agree the bigger tank could have caused him to get up enough force to break his back off the glass. If he is at this state right now and appears as though he will not recover my opinion is he will be best euthenized.

 

[oscar n redtail cat]

keep it and c how he dose