So uhhh - My bass ate my rays barb... lol

[shelbybmc]

Looks like it fell off as the second one is pretty large, I bet his scooped it off the floor and got it stuck in his mouth. Going to watch and see if he can shake it himself, or ill be getting wet later. This happen to anyone else?

Kinda looks like he's got a toothpick in his mouth

 

[wednesday13]

yup...had this happen with a Tem... barb was sticking out through the bottom tho. When i netted the bass and started lifting him out of the tank the barb got stuck in the net and pulled out. Ur case looks a bit trickier than that tho. have to probably pull whichever way the barb is pointed. They dont reverse well. Most def. have to pull em from the tank and get ur needle nose pliers out. no other way IMO. good luck!

 

[shelbybmc]

Very helpful and refreshing to hear!

Now it's punched through, but it sounds like it might be for the better. Good news is the fish is yawning, eating and its not through his gills. I guess I'm going fishing later, we'll see

 

[wednesday13]

Very helpful and refreshing to hear!

Now it's punched through, but it sounds like it might be for the better. Good news is the fish is yawning, eating and its not through his gills. I guess I'm going fishing later, we'll see

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Aye! pretty darn similiar... Mine was not past the jaw but thats good news it popped through i agree. i was worried ud have to open the gills. That barb looks hot still tho id get it out asap. My guy did swell up a bit for a day or two but made a full recovery.

 

[HUKIT]

I have never kept rays before so is this a fairly common occurrence? Is the removal like an arrow/fish hook to push forward or pull it out?

 

[danotaylor]

Push forward for sure as the barbs are serrated

 

[shelbybmc]

Thank you everyone - so helpful on here as always! It does seem to be slowly poking out further and further.

This is my first ray.. I was waiting for my first barb lmao... I didn't expect to have to extract it from a fish.

 

[wednesday13]

Thank you everyone - so helpful on here as always! It does seem to be slowly poking out further and further.

This is my first ray.. I was waiting for my first barb lmao... I didn't expect to have to extract it from a fish.

Dang, Trial by fire lol… good to get it out of the way now … will make u remember to be vigilant in searching for and removing barbs at the least. I had rays for 10+ yrs. Only happened once. Most other barb removals ive seen on here are from ray on ray violence during breeding or same kinda thing with a ray eating a shed barb.

 

[shelbybmc]

Right into the thick of it lmao.. I swear I just looked yesterday!

 

[bassinmike85]

atleast this barb will have a cool story to tell about it. will have to just slowly and carefully pull it through if you havent already. its not through the actual gills though correct?