Rock or Growth?

[Darth Scohin]

Ok I posted this in the Poly forum but I find it more fitting here, I have an Ornate Bichir in a 20gal growout with the following:
AC20 & BioWheel150
5 Calvus
1 Hemichromis
3 Mollies
1 Butterflyfish
All readings 0 and Nitrate at less than 10ppm
pH:7.6 (I know it's low for the Calvus)

The Ornate is only eating Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp
Now it has either a rock or a growth behind the gular plates as said he's eating and still breathing so is this a rock and how can I get him to expell it if it is

 

[knifegill]

You can try overfeeding him to induce regurgitation, but do it in another tank so the vomit doesn't foul the water. Already try opening his mouth my hand?

That's an odd place for a rock to get stuck.

 

[Darth Scohin]

I sadly cannot put him in another tank I have a 10gal but it has no heater and money is tight. I thought the same thing, I have changed the substrate from rock to sand....When I originally got him I hoped I could grow him fat/big enough to add him in my 75gal with the rest of my fish, but my Massivore/Krill/Bloodworms superfeed has been nixed due to his reluctancy to eat anything except bloodworms and brine shrimp

 

[alexmuw]

I don't know if it works with bichirs, but it works for fish; you can knock him out with clove oil. I've done this many times to my koi, so I can treat their ulcers.

Once he's knocked out, you can look to see what is in its throat.


How to:

Get 5 gal bucket, fill 1/2 way with tank water, then add 3-5 drops of clove oil. Place fish into bucket, wait 15-30 mins for it to fall asleep.

To wake it up. Hold fish at outlet of filter to allow fresh-water to flow over its gills. Will take a few minutes before it comes to.


Good luck!!!

 

[Darth Scohin]

If I did that he'd drown, He's is essentially a miniture Dolphin when it comes to it