This past Friday morning I became aware that my 6" Polypterus Senegalus was not in my tank. I began to frantically search the floors of my home, to no avail. I have two dogs running around and feared that they may have eaten it. But soon I found her dried up on top of the glass tops behind my light fixture, eyes completely white. I was going to flush her, but I have kept this fish since 2007 and felt bad about it. I put her in the tank where she sank like a stone onto her back. Within minutes I saw signs of life as the fish began to "cough" out bubbles. It turned over and was breathing heavily. I added some aquarium salt and hoped for the best.
It just sat at the bottom of the tank for two days with its fins clamped breathing heavily. I noticed strands of its slime coat coming off.
It dried up in an S-shape and it seems like either the scales have hardened in that shape or it may be paralyzed? Even now as it swims its body is S-shaped. Its swimming very awkwardly but it can still surface for air.
It could have been out of the tank for as many as 16 hours.
Is there anything else I can do to help it?
Has anyone had a bichir fully recover from a situation like this?
It just sat at the bottom of the tank for two days with its fins clamped breathing heavily. I noticed strands of its slime coat coming off.
It dried up in an S-shape and it seems like either the scales have hardened in that shape or it may be paralyzed? Even now as it swims its body is S-shaped. Its swimming very awkwardly but it can still surface for air.
It could have been out of the tank for as many as 16 hours.
Is there anything else I can do to help it?
Has anyone had a bichir fully recover from a situation like this?
