I think my senegal is a goner. :(

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magpie

magpie

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Jun 4, 2016
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Oregon
I haven't had him for long, he is stiil only about 5 inches, but he is not looking good. I think he ate a piece of my substrate which is not gravel but has chunks larger than sand. (Mixed with sand)

I read a lot about these guys, and have been trying to do the best by him with a great diet, but apparently I missed the part that they will sometimes mistake substrate for food. :(

I am contemplating euthanizing him... I feel so badly. I don't know of a more humane way to euthanize other than smashing them (which sounds horrible but is quick, and from what I have read, the most humane way.)

I'd like to cut him open to confirm when he's gone though. It was there after I got back from a weekend away, so he hadn't been fed for 2 days, so I am sure it's not from pellets or silversides, as that would have already been notable at the time of feeding before I left, and I think passable, and this is so high in his throat and hasn't moved at all.

So now I need to change out the substrate, get most of the hunks out and just put a ton more sand down, because I most definitely want another poly.

I have a 65 gallon tank (36x18x24). So I am limited to smaller guys. My LFS has palmas palmas (WC) and delhezi (WC) right now as well as senegals (CB). Should I stick with senegals or would you do one of the other two? I like how active and personable the senegal was but love the patterning of the other two, and they are supposed to be pretty active too.

:(

Here is the lump, right in front of his gills. It's bigger now.

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Pics of the effing substrate. It looks nice and natural but ARGH
IMG_7222.JPG
 
Oh no. Poor baby. I worry about that all the time with my substrate. Sorry that that happened to you.Wonder if there's a way that your sen can either pass the stone or regurgitate it up. Would something like that require surgery?

Oh a happier note, palmas palmas are beautiful. I think Polyaddict86 Polyaddict86 mentioned they were more expensive than some of the other bichirs. So, I would go for one of those because they are harder to come by. :)Don't think they are as active though.
 
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If it's acting normal. Believe it can survive whatever is going on. Pic looks normal aside from the bump. I too have the same type of chelate clay looking substrate mixed with my gravel. No issues. As for the bump, others will chime in their expertise/experiences. I'd only be able to offer my 2 cents on adding salt and clean water changes, or a parasite guard med to treat.
 
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He was acting normally day one, Sunday PM, (when I took this) and day 2, but now (Thursday) he's hanging out only at the top of the tank and breathing in a more labored looking way (mouth open/close). :(

I fed a soaked veg wafer the first night hoping it would help it pass but then have fasted for the last 2 nights.
 
I have seen other people with similar substrates which is why I didn't think twice about it initially. But then I read several accounts of this happening. Maybe it's worse for him because he's so small vs an adult or larger species? Someone else suggested that CB were more likely to do this?
 
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I had a the same issue before, i dont think its the substrate. It from yawning, when my senegal yawn and the lower jaw extended to big, some part of it didnt went back properly, the fish was fine but died from getting to hungry. It could not eat, it took him about two months before it passed away, but try some salt it might cure.

As for palmas palmas and delhezi they are active polys like a senegal, they like to swim around, the only shy one is a gold dust.
 
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