I recently sold a fish that I shouldn't have. I regreted selling it. I later found out that the fish was in very bad shape with it's current owner. It had been trashed by a few other fish, and was being kept in a seperate container, that was not really a liveable situation. The owner put him up for sale in order to try to save the fish. I bought him back.
He was in very bad shape. It is a 15 inch Curupira, and had been torn up pretty badly by a Jardini. Fins were destroyed, and it had open wounds in several places on its body. This was about a month ago. Since then it had somewhat recovered, but would not eat.
Today I was forced to make a decision. Either euthanize, or force feed. I recently had to euthanize an Aimara, so I decided to go the other way with this guy, and feed him.
I basicaly ground up about 30 Hikari pellets, and mixed with water to form a loose paste. I then took a syringe and attached a section of RO tubing to the tip. Loaded the tubing and syringe with the liquid food. Removed fish from tank and got him into a wet towel. Use a larger diameter flex tubing and got the fish to bite. Then inserted the RO tubing into his mouth, and gently about 1 inch past his esophogus (sp?). Pushed about 10ml of the food into his stomach. Returned him to the water and watched for a few minutes to make sure he didnt reject the food.
So, here is the question. How long should I continue this? The obvious answer is untill the fish eats, or dies. But I am wondering how often I should do this also. I know is stesses the fish each time, and most likely will cause him not to eat due to stress. Not sure if Im caught in a vicious circle here or what.
Anyone knowledgeable with this? Im sure Im not the first to do this to try to save a fish......... right?
Sorry for the spelling issues, and the run-ons. Im stessed a bit myself right now. lol.
He was in very bad shape. It is a 15 inch Curupira, and had been torn up pretty badly by a Jardini. Fins were destroyed, and it had open wounds in several places on its body. This was about a month ago. Since then it had somewhat recovered, but would not eat.
Today I was forced to make a decision. Either euthanize, or force feed. I recently had to euthanize an Aimara, so I decided to go the other way with this guy, and feed him.
I basicaly ground up about 30 Hikari pellets, and mixed with water to form a loose paste. I then took a syringe and attached a section of RO tubing to the tip. Loaded the tubing and syringe with the liquid food. Removed fish from tank and got him into a wet towel. Use a larger diameter flex tubing and got the fish to bite. Then inserted the RO tubing into his mouth, and gently about 1 inch past his esophogus (sp?). Pushed about 10ml of the food into his stomach. Returned him to the water and watched for a few minutes to make sure he didnt reject the food.
So, here is the question. How long should I continue this? The obvious answer is untill the fish eats, or dies. But I am wondering how often I should do this also. I know is stesses the fish each time, and most likely will cause him not to eat due to stress. Not sure if Im caught in a vicious circle here or what.
Anyone knowledgeable with this? Im sure Im not the first to do this to try to save a fish......... right?
Sorry for the spelling issues, and the run-ons. Im stessed a bit myself right now. lol.
