I cant get a picture so I am going to describe this

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R

rudy

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 25, 2006
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So I am feeding my rays this morning. They live with a 15 inch Mpimbwe Frontosa.

The male henlei had some netting caught on his stinger so it has caused a small defect in that the stinger grows the wrong way and sticks out more. It makes it quite effective as it is more dangerous than growing with the tail. (if you search this you will find a thread on him)

I come to the front of the tank after feeding from the back side to see my male frontosa who looks to be attacking my male henlei tail. On closer inspection he has the spine stuck in his face. After a few minute struggle between both of them the Frontosa breaks the tip off the stinger and now has it lodged in his face.

He does not look to be in a lot of stress other than breathing very rapidly however I am wondering as I have never had another fish stung by a ray. Will he live? It is a small piece of the spine for sure, but hearing others here with stories of getting spiked I feel bad for this guy.

As both the broken stinger and the spike in the Fronts face are so small and my photography sucks badly I am unable to get pictures...however I wish I could.
 
How about letting it work itself out naturally? Taking it out might damage it more...
 
I had a male ray that was stung by a smaller ray. The spine was almost an inch long and was lodged in his underside, between the gill slits. The spine eventually worked its way out. No harm done to the ray.
 
I have experience with this. I came home one day and noticed one of my large Datnoids had a huge stinger lodged in his face. Its mouth was extremely swollen. I caught the fish and pulled the stinger out with some pliers. His face was a little deformed for a couple of weeks but he healed 100%.
 
pull it out... salt mela and pima the water in a Q tank and he should be fine
 
I'd pull the stinger out Tim. Net the front and have someone help you with this. Just hold the front in the net with your hands, expose the face and pull the stinger out. As Nick said, salt and melafix is enough, don't play with anything else.
 
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