Emergency: Cory stuck in Angel's mouth

My small Angel has a cory stuck in its mouth. Last night the Angel had his mouth wide open, then started puckering trying to get it out. I netted him and tried to get it with tweezers. Didn’t work. Then I saw the Cory was almost out and I tried again. The Angel swallowed it. Then today the Angel tried to eat and the Cory came so far out like whole tail end of the body but the Angel could not spit it out. I netted him again and he swallowed it. There’s nothing I can do. I have to leave him alone. Every time I try he starts again with the open mouth then working it out etc etc. but I don’t think it will come out on its own! Maybe the Angel can spit it or digest it. Apparently his gills aren’t flared. I’ll post a video from this morning and a picture from a few minutes ago. He looks the same as then except a little bloody mouth spot from the darn tweezers. The video he looks ok but it gets worse when I mess with him. IS THERE ANY CHANCE he can digest it. He doesn’t seem to have gills flared. I’m so so so so upset I’ve had this Angel for years. I had 11 Kribs in the tank and they bothered the angels so I removed them and put cories in and now this. The first video is last night the second earlier today and the pics the most recent. But I messed with him so he’s back to last nights video.

I can see the end of the dang Cory every time I let the Angel go. But when I catch the Angel he swallows it again and we start again. He doesn’t seem panicked like I said and was trying to eat (but now isn’t bc I scared him and he swallowed it again). I feel so bad I just want the dang cory out.

 

Try putting him in a separate container,wait for him to spit it out and grab it while the fish is still in the water

 

Try putting him in a separate container,wait for him to spit it out and grab it while the fish is still in the water

He can’t get it out at all. The cory is def dead though. I’ve been talking about it on the other thread I had posted (when I thought it was a fake plant stuck in his mouth!). Perhaps if you have time you can read and see if you agree! Starting over in a 40 breeder (kind of) | Aquarium Stocking Forum | 527877

 

I wouldn't try to pull it out if he's swallowed it head first. The cory spines could do some serious damage.

 

I wouldn't try to pull it out if he's swallowed it head first. The cory spines could do some serious damage.

Hello!

SparkyJones Told me that I need to wait for the cory to die and get mushy and not pull it out if it’s head first. I hope he’s ok (the Angel).

 

This is something I've worried about, but have never had it happen. I hope your angel is able to spit him/her out or digest soon. I'm not surprised it wasn't a fake plant... fish really don't try to eat them.

 

This is something I've worried about, but have never had it happen. I hope your angel is able to spit him/her out or digest soon. I'm not surprised it wasn't a fake plant... fish really don't try to eat them.

I am so upset BUT I am listening to what SparkyJones said (in thread I linked to above) and staying optimistic. The comments really made me feel way more hopeful, so I’m not going to check the tank as often, because the poor Angel gets stressed when I turn the light on etc etc (considering I’ve netted him so often), and there’s nothing I can do but wait, so I’m going to try my best to do that, and will force myself to not interfere. I am so concerned and love this guy so much but I feel way better bc of the comments on the other page. Wish me luck!

 

Should I be feeding the others? I feed a lot every 3-/4 days and I just saw on here that’s not right so not sure if I should try feeding now or leave the tank alone. I fed recently. I have had many many spawns from my Kribs With surviving babies so I’m not doing too badly but I feel so bad I haven’t been feeling right. Fish keeping is hard! (I usually feed every 3–4 days and apparently I should be feeding daily with maybe one fasting day!).
VERY HAPPY ENDING!!!!!!!’ Went in this morning to this:
An Angel eating and a cory body. Thank you everybody esp SparkyJones !!!!!! I will say the Angel has a bloody spot I hope he’s ok but he’s eating! I swear the Angel was sniffing around the cory in the two seconds before I got it out sheesh. NOW you can see why I didn’t think the Cory was small enough to eat!!

 

Now on to letting my Angelfishes get healthy and have their fins come back in! We are a calm tank now (9–10 red eye tetras, two angels, 7 cories that are LARGE!).