My angelfish is choking!!! Help

Nikster

My angel fish tried to eat one of my smaller fish. The smaller fish is now dead but is lodged headfirst in the throat of my angel. The angel can't swallow it (cos it was too big for him to eat in the first place) and he can't cough it up either. I have netted him and tried to pull the fish out of his mouth by the tail, but I can't catch the tail to do this cos the angel panics and hides the tail in his mouth and only lets it come back out after I've let him go. I've no idea what to do now and I can't watch him die cos I've had him since I first got my tank started two and a half years ago. Has anyone got any ideas?

cichlid child

Take him out of the water force his mouth open and pull the tail

Nikster

Won't he die if I take him out of the water?

sternn

thats a weird one, never heard that before. the only suggestion i wud hav is grap the fish inside the angelfish by a long tweesers, mite be able to slip it out..

let us know how you get on.

Nikster

We tried the tweezers but couldn't get enough grip to give it a good tug!

The Artist

id say if the trouble still persists call a vet!

Nikster

I don't know any vets that specialise in fish. I think I should just go to bed since I can't really do anything else and in the morning I'll either find good news or bad news (that's if I even sleep, I'll probably be waking up all night to check on him)

The Artist

Nikster wrote: »

I don't know any vets that specialise in fish. I think I should just go to bed since I can't really do anything else and in the morning I'll either find good news or bad news (that's if I even sleep, I'll probably be waking up all night to check on him)

http://www.goldenpages.ie/search/east_cork/vet.html
http://www.goldenpages.ie/search/fish_vet.html

trout

OP: Any update I hope the angel fish is OK.

anniehoo

Nikster wrote: »

Won't he die if I take him out of the water?

If you take him out for literally 10-20secs..he should be ok, ive seen a fish actually anaesthetised and taken out of water..at least you'll get his mouth open to try and get the other fish out! Janey who knew there could be drama with fish! Hope its ok!

Nikster

Sorry it took so long for me to give an update on the situation- my net connection went belly-up today. Luckily my angel fish didn't go belly up. He somehow eventually swallowed the fish whole, after what looked like a big coughing fit. He seems to be back to normal today luckily. I've spotted him sneaking glances at the other small fish and going towardsthem but he changes his mind at the last second and swims the other way. He must have got a fright. Thanks for the help and concern

The Artist

It must have been a worry for you im glad its ok.
How big is your Angel Fish as i havent seen a fully grown one.I have 2 in mine about a 1 years old,and id say there about 7inches in length.
I never seen angels afaik eat fish?

cichlid child

Glad he is ok by the way I did mean take him out for a few seconds as someone else said you would be surprised how long they can live out of water for.I would say if he nipping at your small fish now he will do it again don't assume he learned his lesson.