Rip angel

[Matteus]

So today my achara cat wasn't responding to the typical pellets that they usually hit hard. So I started the inspection and noticed a huge belly and I can't find my wife's koi angel. Oh dear!!

So I put the angels in this tank knowing that they had previously survived well with my bigger fish. I even added more hiding spots to ensure it would be a success. Much to my shegrin I noticed the achara take an interest to the angel and even took a quick taste tester. The angel escaped and I ruled it out as a done deal and figured the angel was too big for the cat to swallow. Now today the cat is all swollen and can hardly move. The angel fins are fairly spiny and I'm a little concerned. Has anyone here had angels eaten before with success? I'm just wondering if the cat will be ok? Is there anything I can do to aid the process if it's not ok? Lol feedback is appreciated.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

If the angel was taken alive, IMHO it'd be an exception to the rule. It does happen but quite rare.

I've never kept angels.

Large catfish most usually handle spiny, prickly, abrasive, and bony prey just fine. No one prepares their prey in the wild. Swallowing such prey an unfortunate way has been known to injure or kill a predator but this too is quite rare.

 

[Matteus]

Thank you for responding Viktor (spelling?). I was quite surprised and almost taken out by the whole deal. Was more worried about the Oscar or pacu nailing them, but they get along just fine. Lol. I have never kept angels either, they were my wife's idea.

I'm happy to report the achara is doing well, and is feeding on typical pellets again. The other angel remaining is also doing well and not even scared of the bigger fish. I hope it works out, I suppose I will find out in the next few days.

I was moving the angels to the big tank so I could start a grow out tank for some chichla ocellatis. I found a permanent home for the pacu once it out grows this tank possibly in the fall. So I'm already planning on the next season of fish. Lol.

 

[wynnyelle]

He is probably fine just digesting. I had this happen with my catfish eating my gourami this past winter. They had been fine together in the tank for a while then one day I wake up and cant find gourami...and there is catfish with a HUUUUUGE stomach. He just mostly lay there in his favourite spot for a day, not bothering to do much, but he was just fine.

 

[Matteus]

Haha. That is exactly what happened.

 

[wynnyelle]

Kind of like how it feels after thanksgiving dinner.

 

[Matteus]

Kind of like how it feels after thanksgiving dinner.

Yup. I always like to lay in my favourite place for a whole day after thanksgiving. Usually moaning asking myself why I did that. Saying to those around me that "I'll never do that again". Until Christmas that is. Then the whole cycle starts again...

Oh dear, I need to take the other angel out before Christmas !!!