My dwarf Puffer Fish eats a lot and after he eats his stomache bloats up like he is pregnant. Well, he got bigger than normal and swam through a hole in his hide and seek rock and it stuck. I have waited for about an hour and he still can't get out. What would be the best way to help him get out with out hurting him, or should I wait for him to finish diagesting the fish first. He is really distressed~!~
2007-03-08 02:38:21 · 7 answers · asked by scareforce 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Can you lift it and let him out from the bottom? Or is the only opening the one he went through? If so, all you can really do is let him digest for a bit, because short of take it out and greasin' up the opening, there's not much you CAN do, and you would risk hurting him if you tried.
Are you certain he's stuck? Maybe he's just hiding out. Try to cut back on his feeding, perhaps; he shouldn't be eating so much that he bloats SO much that he can't get out of his hiding place. Feed him less at each feeding if you need to, and if you're concerned he's not getting enough, it's better to give him 3-4 small meals than 1 or 2 huge meals.
2007-03-08 02:51:08 · answer #1 · answered by Zoe 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Puffers are eaters that is for sure. His stomach will bloat that is just the way they are. Chances are he isn't stuck. They are really smart. Don't try to force him out. Give him a few hours to come out.
Trying to push or force your fish out may cause him to inflate which would be worse yet. Or even harm his gills, fins or skin.
Even if he is stuck once his food has digested (which they do quickly) he will find his way out.
The best thing to do is keep your hands out of the tank. If he was distressed, he would inflate. (Natural reaction for puffers)
Do not cut down on his food. Puffers are eaters. and grow quickly.
My dogface's do this all the time.
2007-03-08 10:58:06 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That will be really tough considering it's a puffer. I would suggest you turn off the tank lights and keep the room very quite and calm for the next several hours and allow him to continue trying to get free. The last thing you want to do at this point is to scare him enough that he will inflate. Let him be calm and see if he doesn't work his way out in a day or so. If not you may need to try to push him through but let that be a last resort.
MM
2007-03-08 10:53:40 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
What are you feeding your puffer? Live fish?
Puffers are known for this, but I agree with Danielle. Let him alone. He isn't "Stuck" and starteling him could make things worse. Poking at him isn't going to help either and could make things worse by actually getting him stuck.
My Porc's do the same thing. He will come out when he is ready.
2007-03-08 11:14:46 · answer #4 · answered by leemucko 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If its something you can just lift up and set him free then try that. Maybe stick a net in and see if that scares him back the other way. If he's really, really stuck you might be able to try to gently remove him with your hand. You might hurt him but its probably better than leaving him stuck. I'd suggest removing the ornament afterwards in case this happens while you're gone.
2007-03-08 10:46:21 · answer #5 · answered by Randy A 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This same thing happened to my puffer fish, but when i came home it was dead. So, i dont want to tell you the wrong thing but just wanted you to know it could die if its stuck.
2007-03-08 14:02:01 · answer #6 · answered by environgrl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would call your vet or a local aquarium specialty place. You want to avoid any damage as soon as possible.
2007-03-08 10:46:48 · answer #7 · answered by kodiak4550 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋