my husband got these small algae eaters last night(oto something can't remember)because our pleco died and my ranchu managed to swallow one of them.Will she be able to eat it?Algae eaters' tail is still sticking out.I don't think she's choking but will she be able to digest it?Thanks

Oh dear, a lot of the algae eaters have sharp barbs behind their heads. Can you id the algae eater positively? You might need to intervene to remove it manually if it is still stuck in the next few hours. Post back if you need more info. Good luck!

It's been an hour and she's still chewing??the algae eater.Sometimes she darts to the surface and seems to gasp.Is she choking?I took some pics but I'm not sure if it would be okay to post it.I'm afraid to pull it out coz I might hurt her.Thanks

Hmmm, you would be able to just pull it out if it has barbs. You will need to cut it (the algae eater) up into small pieces and remove them piece wise. Not a nice thing to do but you might not have much choice. I can if you more details if you need.

What are barbs?I don't think I can cut it into pieces I would not have the guts to do that.Maybe I should try pulling it out?

Okay, barbs are sharp spine/needle like things that points backwards. If you try to pull the fish straight out then the barbs dig into their mouth and you are truly stuck. Think of the action of a fish hook. You need to use a pair of tweezers to try to work it loose. Use twisting motion to try to stop the barbs from digging into the mouth. If you notice any hint of it being jammed, stop and don't force it. You might want to ask your husband to help if you don't feel comfortable with cutting up the algae eater up with a small sharp pair of scissors.

I am gonna try pull it out myself and see if it will come off.If not,I guess I'll have to wait for my husband

Thank you so much

Good luck, Cathy! Keep us posted. I have my fingers and toes crossed!

I tried to pull it out but she just won't stop wiggling I thought I was hurting her so I stopped.I can't believe all of this is happening.I'm running into so many bad luck these days

I'm so sorry, Cathy. It has not been a good run for you lately. Nevermind, it can only get better soon.

It is probably a two person job anyway. You can prepare the tools you need before hand though. Get a piece of those plastic bubble wrap (as in packaging material). Clean it. When you are ready. Wet both sides with tank water. Net the ranchu and place it on the wrap. Gently fold the wrap up to enclose the fish with only the mouth exposed. It would help if someone keep a firm but gentle hold of the fish on a work table while someone else use the tweezers and scissors. You have a couple of minutes to do the operation so don't rush. Take care not to get the algae eater's head jammed in the mouth or you will do more damage. The algae eater is dead anyway so don't worry about being gentle with it. It is the ranchu you are trying to save.

Thank you so much
I will try my very best to save her

I just wanted to say that we got the algae eater out.It was over within a minute.
I am so glad this turned out well.
Thank you very much for all the help

I'm real glad too, Cathy. Love a happy ending!

Thank you
One more problem though, what am i gonna do with the other 4 algae eaters?

I don't know Cathy, will the lfs re-home them for you?

btw I had a similar experience tonight. One of the small orandas got a pebble in it's mouth that it couldn't spit out. I'm usually of the opinion if it is small enough to get sucked in it will be small enough to spit out, so far that's been the way.

Anyway I watched this little fella struggle for 10mins or so, sometimes he would get the pebble half way out his mouth then it would go back in again. He came over to the front of the tank in front of where I was sitting and just stayed there, I swear he was saying "help me, help me!" So I caught him and tried applying a little pressure around his mouth to 'pop' the pebble out, this didn't work so I used tweezers and out it came easily.

Then he swam off happily, non the worse for wear.

Yes, Cathy, as Annette suggested, either return the algae eaters or house them in a separate tank. History will repeat itself if you just leave them there.

Annette, I'm glad the pebble came out alright.

What a horrible experience! I'm glad it turned out well. How's your ranchu now?
My son always says I should get an algae eater for the goldfish tank but I say no.
I'ts awful when there's something wrong with your fish. I was devastated when my common got sick and died (I had four fish from the start)and I was a newbie and probably did everything wrong...

OldHag

Annette,I'm glad your oranda's okay Did you panic at all when you saw him?I was totally panicky when I heard my fish splashing.I'm so glad it turned out well.
Sadly,I can't take back those algae eaters.Once you put them inside your tank,they won't take them back I guess I'll house them with my frys.

Thanks everyone