Has anyone seen this before?...

[Matteus]

so I was just feeding my pacu some algae pellets and out of nowhere it just snapped. It shot himself against a big piece of driftwood and took a chunk out of his gill plate. As I was inspecting the chunk missing I noticed he had a peculiar dark spot in his nostril. It looks like he must have sniffed up a chunk of maybe old carbon or a rock or something.

It looks quite painful and irritating. This being said he still hasn't finished the pellets I gave him. Anyone who has a pacu knows this is highly unusual. Has anyone ever dealt with this before? Is there something I can do? Do I need to get clove oil and some tweezers? Am I freaking out for nothing? Any help appreciated.

 

[Matteus]

 

[Matteus]

 

[Matteus]

First one is the black chunk in his nostril and second one is the chunk missing

 

[kno4te]

Would give the fish a little clove oil (5drops per
Gallon) and use tweezers and forceps to pull whatever it is out. Then place in a bucket with tank water and a bubbler. Should be quick.

 

[Matteus]

Thanks kno4te tbh this really freaks me out, I don't want to mess him up !!! I might have to go get those tools tomorrow though, and pull out my cooler.

 

[Matteus]

Woohoo. The pacu has healed up and the chunk has disappeared from the nostril on its own. I was so sketched out that I would cause it even more stress by trying to take it out.

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Good to hear!

 

[Matteus]

Good to hear!

Thanks man.

 

[davemal]

fish spook easy if they feel they have nowhere to run, pacu are very active and need loads of room. I had 2 in a 6x2x2 had to give them to someone with a bigger tank, old fish books are in accurate said they would reach 40cm …. should have said 90 cm +