what is wrong with my gar?? HELP!!!!!!!

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chefrific

chefrific

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 14, 2007
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Georgia
During a recent water change, my FL gar leaped out of the tank and hit the wall, stand, then floor. When I immediately placed him back in he just spiraled and I thought he was dead. Then he came to... and seemed fine. All went well for a few days, then I noticed that in the middle of its back it was arched. That went away, then a few days later the gar had a new arch towards its tail. This one isn't going away!!!! I'm attaching pictures. He is still eating fine, but not swimming around near as much. It's been this way for over a week now. I suspect a broken back. If so, do I need to put him down?? This breaks my heart. This is my FAVORITE fish!!!! :cry: SOMEBODY HELP!!!!

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really sorry to hear about your gar (FYI this specimen is a longnose) :(

unfortunately this does indeed look like a broken back (mine had a similar injury just a couple weeks back). what i have noticed with this particular location of the injury is that they don't seem to retain any control over the unpaired fins (caudal, anal, dorsal), and with increased movement there is increased and progressive damage. unfortunately there is not much that can be done for the fish when this happened, and euthanizing the fish is generally the most humane course of action (sadly this is what i had to do to my longnose as well).

again, really sorry to hear about your fish, it's an unfortunately risk in keeping these otherwise very hardy and durable fishes--
--solomon
 
E_americanus;1227718; said:
really sorry to hear about your gar (FYI this specimen is a longnose) :(

unfortunately this does indeed look like a broken back (mine had a similar injury just a couple weeks back). what i have noticed with this particular location of the injury is that they don't seem to retain any control over the unpaired fins (caudal, anal, dorsal), and with increased movement there is increased and progressive damage. unfortunately there is not much that can be done for the fish when this happened, and euthanizing the fish is generally the most humane course of action (sadly this is what i had to do to my longnose as well).

again, really sorry to hear about your fish, it's an unfortunately risk in keeping these otherwise very hardy and durable fishes--
--solomon
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I have to concur with Solomon :( There is not much that can be done in the case of this species of fish with an injury like this.

This is unfortunate as that is one very lovely Longnosed... Very sorry about this..
 
Recommended method of euthanasia???:cry:
oh my god...........
 
sorry to hear about your gar. My first gar i ever had ended up dieing since we think it had lime disease since my friend at first didn't think u looked that good when we first got him.what sucks is that my gar died a day before my birthday April 29 2007
 
I'm finding it so hard to put him down.... But I don't want him to suffer......
I never thought I could get attached to a fish like this!!!! WE ARE ALL ADDICTS!!!!!
Good news though.... I just found a 4-5" spotted, so we'll try to get our "fix" again.
Thanks to all for your help!!!!!!!!!
 
:rip RIP "Rex" :( It's done.
I still feel like such an A-hole..... Going to get a much needed shot of whiskey now..........
Drink one for Rex.... at least his suffering is over.

:cry:
Thanks to all for your help and concern.
 
chefrific;1228348; said:
:rip RIP "Rex" :( It's done.
I still feel like such an A-hole..... Going to get a much needed shot of whiskey now..........
Drink one for Rex.... at least his suffering is over.

:cry:
Thanks to all for your help and concern.
Click to expand...

you did the right thing. the A-hole would be the ones selfish enough to let the fish suffer. very sorry for your loss.

bottoms up for rex...
 
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