6 replies to this topic

[Flash Pleco]

Skipping the usual because this is mechanical injury so water conditions aren't relevant...

My poor little King Tiger Pleco got himself caught in some cotton that I'd used to tie plants to sinkers with and has a nasty injury. I had to cut the cotton off him - it went diagonally across his body like a seatbelt and his struggles to free himself had embedded it into his flesh. Not sure to what degree because he's only a wee little thing about 4-5cm long.

I immediately removed all the remaining sinkers I could find (yes I know, lesson learned!) and threw in some Stress Coat and Melafix to aid healing.

Is there anything else I can do for the little guy? Or is it just a waiting game now?

What are his chances? I initially thought he was dead and only realised he was alive when I went to fish him out and he struggled. As soon as I cut him free he swam off quite vigorously so he didn't seem far gone at that stage. He was still struggling a bit when I was trying to free him so I'm hoping that's a good sign. That was about 6pm and he's still alive now at 8pm but is panting quite fast.

[Flash Pleco]

Well I guess no answers means nobody had anything constructive to say so by deduction there was nothing I could do that I hadn't already.

Surprisingly the little guy is still with us. Hope things remain this way but I wouldn't say he's out of the woods yet, and I haven't seen him eat since it happened.

Fingers still crossed here...

[Poncho]

Yeah what you've done is fine. Plecos are fairly hardy fish, just make sure it doesn't get picked on by other fish and your water quality is up to scratch while it's healing and it should come good

[Flash Pleco]

Thanks Poncho,

Very few other fish to hassle him due to a run of bad luck lately (clearly continuing with this, although maybe the tide has turned and he'll live!) and he's got himself into a little cranny that the others wouldn't fit.

I've only got a couple of harmless corydoras, a couple of swordtails, bristlenose cats and a single featherfin cat in a 300L tank so I wouldn't imagine anyone would bother him even if they could get to him. The featherfin is the only one really capable of damage and it's too big to get near him in his little nook.

Water is good too (not many fish to muck it up right now) but water change is due, last one was about 10 days ago.

[Flash Pleco]

Update: The little guy is fully healed and happy as Larry

[Stacey89]

Good news glad to hear he is all better after his accident

[Anka]

Great to hear