First RTCxTSN

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I'd say wait a while. My hybrid swallowed two huge rocks and still ate fine and everything. ONe day I just decided to stuff him til he puked and they came right out. Each was about 6" across. he ate two for whatever reasons lol. I guess for the 2 months they were in there he got high minerals at least lol.
 
Others did it and I did it - reach in gently and pull it out, I'd say. Just don't cut him too bad or rip the flesh but even then, he will likely survive. If you know how - sedate him say with clove oil.

They usually regurgitate what they cannot digest or take a long time to pass a foreign object or, when they cannot do either, they eventually die. Sometimes people successfully extract things from their stomachs (when they cannot throw it up and neither can they pass it in their intestine). Once in the intestine and they cannot pass, it is either a surgery ($$$) or death.

A couple of examples of successful extractions with nice vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG5Dz5Iwol4

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=37031&p=253193#p253193
 
thebiggerthebetter said:
Others did it and I did it - reach in gently and pull it out, I'd say. Just don't cut him too bad or rip the flesh but even then, he will likely survive. If you know how - sedate him say with clove oil.

They usually regurgitate what they cannot digest or take a long time to pass a foreign object or, when they cannot do either, they eventually die. Sometimes people successfully extract things from their stomachs (when they cannot throw it up and neither can they pass it in their intestine). Once in the intestine and they cannot pass, it is either a surgery ($$$) or death.

A couple of examples of successful extractions with nice vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG5Dz5Iwol4

http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=37031&p=253193#p253193
Click to expand...

Thanks alot! That video is quite amazing! Unfortunately mine is no where near that size yet so sticking my hand down its throat was not an option. But fortunately while waiting for the local aquatic veterinarian to return from being out of the country, my poor little guy finally regurgitated the foreign object last night! Woohoo! He'd been working at it for a couple of days but I was afraid that because of the awkward shape he would not be successful. What an awesome surprise to find a happy cat and this floating on the surface of the water!
2013-02-07_20-50-13_392.jpg


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Excellent! So how long has it spent in his stomach? You got lucky - it was too big to pass through the stomach-to-intestine valve.
 
thebiggerthebetter said:
Excellent! So how long has it spent in his stomach? You got lucky - it was too big to pass through the stomach-to-intestine valve.
Click to expand...

It was in there just over a week! And he seemed happy as could be as soon as it was out! Any side-effects, long-term damage or problems you think I should keep an eye out for?

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Wow, over a week! He must have really struggled regurgitating it. I'd wait for 2-3 days, a week if he is not too skinny, before feeding to let any abrasions, cuts heal better. If he eats eagerly and well the first 1-2 weeks, then I'd say it went without complications. Let us know and post an updated pic of your lucky cat - down to 8 lives now :)
 
Glad to hear he got it out mad is healthy again. The way mine swallowed the suction cup and as it started to starve him there was no way he would be able to get it out himself and it even started to cut through his stomach. I tried to pull it out myself and was able to get it out but it did to much damage already. I tried to work with him all night in the tank but he was just to weak. One of the coolest fish I have watched grow.
Again congrats that yours was able to spit it out. Darn things really will try to eat anything.
 
Goat13, do you have a thread and pics on your story? If not, it'd be a helpful one for current keepers and keepers to come... if you are willing of course. Just a thought. Sorry for your loss - I know the pain, having lost half a dozen fish (all sub-adult RTCs) to swallowing inedible objects... and you'd think I can learn :(
 
Well...I know this story has been told over and over again, but I learned the hard lesson last night. Don't let your catfish lull you to thinking he's the one of a kind peaceful cat, that won't eat his tank mates. Now, please...not too much heckling, but mine had been living side-by-side in harmony with a gorgeous 4"-5" electric blue jd....until last night. My wife looked over at my tank and said "Oh my god! Why is that catfish's belly so big again?? What did he eat now???" I reply "AHH F#$%!! Where's my EBJD???"....End of story...most expensive snack I've ever treated my rtcxtsn with!

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