Pacu Problem

[saphphx]

Before I start - yes, I know they can become 36 inch fish.
Anyway, I have three 20 inch pacu. We've taken the decor out of the tank to keep them from bouncing off them (all wounds have thankfully healed) and lately we had a batch of air lines chewed, but they've done one worse, they've eaten the bubbly tube curtain thing. The 16 inch bar is gone, and I saw one of the little lovely's chewing a bit, I opened the tank hood to retreaded it and he swallowed. And to make it worse he is one of the "twins" that look the same, so thanks to it all happening to fast I can't pick him out of a line up.
The tube is soft and squidgy, so I am hoping it will digest and be done with.
I don't think there is anything to do but wait, but is there anything I can do to help? Feed them peas or something? I doubt there is a fish vet in this country short of going to one of the public aquariums. I've left the rest of the air tubes in, cause if they come out they have no air, but I may pull them all the way to the top or something, I don't know. lol.

 

[BadDogsPa]

My pacu shattered a heater,busted off filter tubes,ate rocks,and eventually cracked my tank..There just soo darn big and powerfull,and seem to eat anything with a little alge covering it lol

 

[saphphx]

they are serious pains some days! lol

I love them really. Really...

 

[Bitey]

I've learned how to help make a pacu poop... I fed mine thanksgiving turkey and it nearly died. Slowly add in aqurium salt, reduce feeding, the one that isn't hungry is the one that has something stuck in it. Raise water temp to 80-82, and then try the peas. This could take 14 days to get him to poop it. They will live a good long while without food if they were healthy to start with.

Then one day you'll walk by the tank and see something stuck to it's butt and they'll work it out. If it was able to be eaten, it should be able to be pooped. I've also seen my fish barf.

When Bitey ate the turkey, he pooped out a chunk of turkey that was just like it went in except it was green/brown and slimy.

Moral of the story... Pacu don't like turkey. And vets are a bad idea, I asked vets what to do about mine and they said to kill it. I read and read message boards like this and came up with the things like salt, peas, and water temp.

 

[saphphx]

I was just reading about Bitey somewhere, I swear. PacuForum I think where the dude's pacu was on its side.

I was just worried if I try to get him to pass it faster that it will rip the inside of the fish as its kinda spongy but rough. I guess I'll leave them until one isn't eating and then worry. So far they are the normal three stooges I've always known them to be.

Matt (editor PFK) gave me the number of a fish vet, incase things go really wrong, and has made me feel a bit better. Maybe the fish need some more toys or something. Will have to get them a frisby LMAO

 

[stevbo200]

saphphx what size tank are they in? You have any pics?, Mine has also broken my heater.

 

[robmcd]

Man, pacu are the DUMBEST things swimming. Like bricks with fins. I know that if you submit them to a drastic (10c) temperature change they will regurgitate.

 

[Red Devil]

I have had 2 pacus for 8 years now.. and a year ago one of them ate the piece of tubing joint.. it was about an inch wide and inch thick.. i waited until it passed through... when it was half in and half out we took him out of the tank, and literly pulled it out from him, he healed up and is absolutely fine.. so until you see that it is not passing through or if he is not eating i would let nature take its course.. and just keep a watch on him.. he may pass it without you even knowing it. But i do not think any of the other remedies will make much difference. And pacus are not dumb, they are just mischievous with many playful pranks in which some can be injury related...

 

[saphphx]

saphphx what size tank are they in? You have any pics?, Mine has also broken my heater.

6x2x2 foot, they are waiting for a new home you see, as they came with the tank. These are our pacu: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/blog.php?blogid=87

I've never had them break a heater, but they ate the wire and zapped me, so I got stainless steal ones and put them wires and all in a PVC pipe with holes drilled in it.

Man, pacu are the DUMBEST things swimming. Like bricks with fins. I know that if you submit them to a drastic (10c) temperature change they will regurgitate.

I donno, I'd rather not do anything that heavy unless I have to as I don't want to stress them out. I think they are clever but have no common sense.

I have had 2 pacus for 8 years now.. and a year ago one of them ate the piece of tubing joint.. it was about an inch wide and inch thick.. i waited until it passed through... when it was half in and half out we took him out of the tank, and literly pulled it out from him, he healed up and is absolutely fine.. so until you see that it is not passing through or if he is not eating i would let nature take its course.. and just keep a watch on him.. he may pass it without you even knowing it. But i do not think any of the other remedies will make much difference. And pacus are not dumb, they are just mischievous with many playful pranks in which some can be injury related...

eef. Will keep an eye on them, so far still good, touch wood, but will see what happens. Silly fish are always getting into trouble.

 

[fishdance]

I needed to protect all my electrical cords in PVC pipe and remove anything fragile plastic such as ornaments, airstones, themometers and heaters. I got tired of replacing powerheads and filters and getting electric shocks.

Next I kept and breed some Pacu in an above ground pool and they kept chewing through the thick PVC liner!! I went through about 8 pond liners.

I would recommed you just wait if you want them to regurgitate something. Alternatively if you need to pull something out you can anethestise them wth some Clove Oil.

They are a real monster fish and not for the average hobbyist but I really love mine. One spawn of eggs from a single female filled an entire 20L bucket!!!