Log decoration warning!

[LisaM]

Hi there,

I have only just joined the forum so please forgive me if this topic has been discussed before. I have a two weather loach in a tank with a few fantails. More than a year ago I bought a couple of log style decorations as I read that the loach like to hide in dark places. Since then I have seen them hiding and twisting themselves through the holes (big access holes at each end and two smaller holes on the sides) so thought all was fine. But this morning I found the fatter of the two (I call her Mrs Loach!) wedged and stuck fast in one of the smaller holes I have just spent two hours carefully trying to hacksaw through the log and then used pliers to chip away at it to free her. She has quite a lot of scale damage and very visible dents around her neck where she was stuck. She is not doing much right now and is laying on the tank surface, so keeping an eye on things to see how she recovers.

So in case anyone else uses fake logs - please make sure the holes are big enough to swim through! I am so annoyed at myself for not realising this could happen.

Anyone have any tips for healing a dented loach neck?!

Thanks,

Lisa

[Dojosmama]

You stated she is laying on the surface. Did you mean the surface of the substrate, or is she floating at the surface of the tank? If she is just laying on the substrate, chances are she will probably be okay. Dojos like to rest a lot. If she is floating at the water's surface, then she might be in trouble. Do you have floating plants for her to rest among? If she's on them, that's pretty natural, as dojos like that a lot.

Just watch her carefully. If she still eats well and becomes active again, she'll probably be fine. The dented neck might stay dented or it might fill out again. If it doesn't bother her or hamper her food intake, I wouldn't worry about it.

Dojos are tough little fish, and if your water quality is good, they can usually recover from most incidents. By the way, they are scaleless fish, so it's her skin, not scales, that are damaged. That, too, should heal on its own if your water is good.

I only give my dojos caves with huge holes in them, and when I put the crag into the tank, its openings are all very large and they can swim in and out with ease.

Yes, one must be careful of such things. When we purchase our tank ornaments, we must inspect them for holes that might be too small and for sharp edges or surfaces that could injure our little pets. Just because an aquarium store sells it doesn't mean it's safe. You'd be surprised at some of the atrocious and dangerous stuff they sell in the way of tank decor.

Hope she gets better...

-- Dojosmama

[LisaM]

Thanks for your reply She is sitting on the substrate and taking food and seems pretty much OK now thank goodness! I did buy some Melafix to add to the water too so hopefully that will help heal things. I've ordered a couple of caves with wide entrances - I'm going to be so careful now