ocmimi

I'm so sad! One of my cories managed to wedge himself into a whole/cave in the mopani wood. All his little cory friends were gathered around, as if they were watching the spectacle. After a couple hours of watching him struggle and try unsuccessfully to dislodge himself, I tried a very gentle tug on his caudal fin... only to scare him deeper into the wood. I can just barely see his tail way up in there...

And so, I'm afraid there is no help for my cory, but I wonder... should I try to euthanize him? I hate to think of him dying slowly of starvation way up in there. Though, he likely injured himself getting up in there. If I should euthanize, how? Also, once he dies, should I let nature take its course as far as decomposition? Throw the mopani wood out? I don't think I'd be able to pull the body out in one piece, and the alternative turns my stomach... Help!

Mimi

Lucy

Welcome to Fish Lore

I'm really sorry to hear about your cory.
Any way you can gently saw or widen the opening?

I really hope you're able to get him out. Good luck

hssea

What about using a aquarium syphon , maybe the suction will get him out. Try removing the larger end and just using the hose part.

agabr123

i'm sorry to hear that

if you can, i would try to break the wood open somehow, you can remove it and put it in a bucket full of aquarium water if that makes it easier.

ocmimi

WOW, great news! He got out!

I have no idea how he managed to get himself out of there, but there he was with his buddies this morning! He's hiding and kinda quiet, but no visible signs of trauma. Really, he was so far up in this "cave" on the underside of a thick piece of mopani wood, I was sure there was absolutely no way to get him out of there! My only explanation is divine intervention.

I can't explain it, but I'm thrilled. Thanks for all your suggestions, though! I've got my fingers crossed this won't happen again.

Mimi

aquarist48

lol thanks for the great news!

Lucy

Oh, I'm so glad he got out!
It would be a good idea to plug up the hole somehow so the curious little bugger doesn't try it again!

ocmimi

Good idea, Lucy. I knew I'd find some smart people by joining here!

Would you use aquarium silicone or something else?

Lucy

You can use aquarium silicone depending on the size the hole. If that doesn't work, you can always stuff some filter floss up in there.

agabr123

i'm glad he made it alright! i'd use aquarium silicone that way there's no way of him being able to get stuck in there again, make sure you let the wood dry completely and let the silicone cure for 24-48 hours, however long it says on the packaging