cousinav

I was feeding the fish this morning and couldn't find Chuckie (the otto). I hunted around a bit a noticed him scrunched up inside the castle. I assumed he had passed on overnight, but I really didn't have time to deal with it this morning. Well, feeding time came again and I remembered that Chuckie was in the castle and I needed to get him out. I took the castle out and Chuckie was really stuck in there! I ran some tap water over it to try to get him out, but to no avail. I brought the castle outside to show my husband the bizarre circumstance....the fish swam in there and died!

Just then I looked a little more closely and noticed very faint movement! OMG! Could he be ALIVE?? My husband took some pliers and broke the castle in half and out came Chuckie.....ALIVE! I quickly scooped him up into a plastic cup that was lying around, ran upstairs with him and put him back in the tank. He swam away and attached himself to the bottom of the wall.

To think I just let him sit in that castle ALL DAY and then ran TAP WATER over him and then BROUGHT HIM OUTSIDE!!! It will be a miracle if he makes it.

Sam Livingston

They usually don't get stuck, just latched on by himself and liked the spot probably (but could have got stuck i suppose). Either way don't feel bad about it you were trying to help him, and if he's alive now he should be fine. I'm the worst human being I accidently killed one of my platy fry last year by squeezing him to death with my fingers. Thought I saw him swim out of the net so grabbed the net and saw parts of him on my finger, still feel horrible when think about it. Bad fish moments happen ;( Either way I hope the lil otto does well!

Barbrella

The fact that you feel horrible about this means that you're a good and caring person!

Many people wouldn't care at all. Many flush live fish down the toilet and do all sorts of horrid things to them, so don't be hard on yourself.

Having said that, I know exactly how you feel. I've accidently done awful things to my fish too and still feel sick about it months later.

Here's hoping your little oto recovers from his ordeal.

Lucy

Don't be so hard on yourself. Chuckie sure is one tough otto. I hope he's doing well.

cousinav

I dunno. His body is sort of curved now, possibly from being curled up for so may hours (at least 12). He doesn't appear to be doing very well at all. We shall see what the morning brings.

COBettaCouple

It was definitely not intentional and he's definitely a tough Oto. I hope that he recovers.

Try keeping his water extra super clean with daily water changes and add Vita-Chem, Fish Protector and Garlic Guard daily after each water change.

HatchetHaven

It might sound strange... But it's good you feel horrible - it means you really care about your fish.

Fish from the Otto family spend a lot of their time hiding, 'jammed up' in a tiny nook or cranny that looks far to small for them, so Chuckie was probably OK with that. It's good to hear he is alive and kicking though!

Lucy

How's Chuckie today?

cousinav

Amazingly, he is still alive and seems to be doing well. He has been swimming and eating. :-)

COBettaCouple

I'm glad to hear that! He's one tough little oto and you're taking good care of him.

Lucy

Tough little guy! I'm glad he's doing well.

SCC

That's great! Otos aren't known for their toughness, but Chuckie must be!!!