Cichlid seems to be stuck please help!!!

[weston]

One of my small green terrors wedged itself in a peice of Texas holy rock today that looks to small for him to get out of by himself now I'm wondering if he will be able to get out on his own or if I need to pull him out. I heard about similar situations where people have found dead fish stuck in rock or they find them and are forced to pull them out but then they can get pretty torn up in the process.
What's my best bet? Will he come out? do I need to pull him out? Should I just wait and monitor this fish? Any thing helps!!! Has anyone dealt with this if so how did you get your fish unstuck?

 

[ehh]

Have you tried touching him? If he can get out, he'll get out when you reach for him.

 

[weston]

I've tried he won't move I've even touched him and nothing happens I think he wiggled in further

 

[ehh]

If he's in a community I wouldn't leave him in there. He's easy pickings like that. I'd try to push him through.

 

[celebrist]

If you want him out with minimal damage I would say crack the holey rock open, if you have to grab and pull him out that sounds damaging
Pic?

 

[the animal guy]

Do not pull him backwards. If you have to, you Must close his fins by the front. Break the decor carefully if you can. I had a a few fish stuck and with out me they would've been dead 100%

 

[vinod_uthaiah]

I agree with the above post ..... see if you can push him front, rather than pull him backwards.
Also sometimes it is easier to crack the decor careful.
Any pics ?

 

[weston]

I agree with the above post ..... see if you can push him front, rather than pull him backwards.
Also sometimes it is easier to crack the decor careful.
Any pics ?

Do not pull him backwards. If you have to, you Must close his fins by the front. Break the decor carefully if you can. I had a a few fish stuck and with out me they would've been dead 100%

If you want him out with minimal damage I would say crack the holey rock open, if you have to grab and pull him out that sounds damaging
Pic?

If you want him out with minimal damage I would say crack the holey rock open, if you have to grab and pull him out that sounds damaging
Pic?

If he's in a community I wouldn't leave him in there. He's easy pickings like that. I'd try to push him through.

Ok I would push him through except the hole is too small on the other end that's how he became stuck in the first place also it might be difficult to break open as he is in the middle of the rock he swam under and up I think he may be a goner I'm feeling horrible about it but I guess I'll just attempt to back him out messed up scales sound better then him dying and polluting my entire tank

 

[Frank Castle]

Ok I would push him through except the hole is too small on the other end that's how he became stuck in the first place also it might be difficult to break open as he is in the middle of the rock he swam under and up I think he may be a goner I'm feeling horrible about it but I guess I'll just attempt to back him out messed up scales sound better then him dying and polluting my entire tank

Do you own or have access to a chisel and hammer? Place the rock w/ the fish in a durable Rubbermaid tub with enough tankwater to cover the fish's gills and GENTLY crack open the rock......outside on concrete or asphalt

All you need is a rock-chisel and a decent hammer. Heavier hammer will make it easier and decrease the shock to the fish

 

[Frank Castle]

on second thought, place a piece of sterile non-toxic metal between the rock and Rubbermaid bottom to prevent the Rubbermaid from cracking as well. Stainless steel should be fine