Pleco Attacked By Turtle

So I have a pleco that's about a year old now he has been living in a tank with an African sideneck turtle and various other fish like tiger Barb's and tetras well just a few days ago I noticed he was hurt his mouth appears to have been bitten by the turtle. I have added aquarium salt and started dropping some algae wafers to help him have access to more than enough food he appears to be able to eat some but I want to know if he is going to make it I know the picture looks bad I really regret putting him in the tank they always got along very well until now he is quite long about 5-6 inches at least. Any suggestions on what I can do to help him heal or will he not make it?

 

Remove him from where the turtle is. Then you will need very clean water along with so e stress coat.

 

I really don't think he's going to make it- consider euthanizing him with clove oil.

 

Aw poor thing. I agree with Sarah, and I wouldn’t euthanize until you’re certain he won’t make it. Looks like he’s missing the whole bottom portion of his mouth, see if he can still eat over the next few days. Best of luck, fingers crossed.

 

Half its face is gone. I agree that you should euthanize.

 

Half its face is gone. I agree that you should euthanize.

Dude there is a girl out there who has no face and is STILL alive. Unlike us, fish can grow their mouths back. Probably not perfectly but manageable. I bet in the wild turtles have done this as well.

 

Dude there is a girl out there who has no face and is STILL alive. Unlike us, fish can grow their mouths back. Probably not perfectly but manageable. I bet in the wild turtles have done this as well.

This! Yes, it’s a fish but it’s a living thing, try! Also, OP states that he “appears to eat some.”

 

Dude there is a girl out there who has no face and is STILL alive. Unlike us, fish can grow their mouths back. Probably not perfectly but manageable. I bet in the wild turtles have done this as well.

I don’t think this one will grow its mouth back, nor its face. Just my observation.

 

I don’t think this one will grow its mouth back, nor its face. Just my observation.

It may not grow back as it normally was but where there is a will there is a way. Give this pleco a fighting chance!

 

It may not grow back as it normally was but where there is a will there is a way. Give this pleco a fighting chance!

I usually do give fish a fighting chance, moreso than most people on here. In fact, I’m surprised by how many people suggest euthanasia on a lot of sick or injured fish threads. I just don’t comment on it usually. I have seen people recommend that someone euthanize an old schooling fish just because the rest of its species died of old age, and it was the only one left. I was against it, but a surprising number of people thought it was fine to prematurely kill off a 6-7 yr. old fish. But this is different. I don’t know where you heard that a fish can partially regenerate lost flesh.

 

I usually do give fish a fighting chance, moreso than most people on here. In fact, I’m surprised by how many people suggest euthanasia on a lot of sick or injured fish threads. I just don’t comment on it usually. I have seen people recommend that someone euthanize an old schooling fish just because the rest of its species died of old age, and it was the only one left. I was against it, but a surprising number of people thought it was fine to prematurely kill off a 6-7 yr. old fish. But this is different. I don’t know where you heard that a fish can partially regenerate lost flesh.

It is called adding more of the same species. Who has said it is ok to just kill them? I haven't heard, I've done the research.

 

He eats some his mouth still moves(the flesh that's left of it) and he can suck up some of the fish food from what he appears to be doing but he looks very hurt I know fish don't feel pain like us and I hear of fish regenerating some of their flesh but it's tough to look at him. I'm sad it happened I am really rooting for him. I thought of euthanizing too he's still extremely mobile and fast in the tank I don't know if I can even catch him without doing more damage.

I appeciate all of the feedback this is my first pleco I've ever owned and I didn't even know they could grow as big as he did maybe that's why it's devestating to see.

 

I appeciate all of the feedback this is my first pleco I've ever owned and I didn't even know they could grow as big as he did maybe that's why it's devestating to see.

common pleco

 

I'll wait a few days and post an update with a picture. He's starting to get white spots near where the wound is not sure if that is a good thing.

 

I really don't think he's going to make it- consider euthanizing him with clove oil.

Agree. The snout won't regrow !

 

Agree. The snout won't regrow !

depends on the type of tissue that got destroyed.

 

Look at the pic Sarah. Do you really think that can heal. I even thing the bonestructure / jaw is gone.

depends on the type of tissue that got destroyed.

 

Look at the pic Sarah. Do you really think that can heal. I even thing the bonestructure / jaw is gone.

I am! I mean I can't stay the pleco is in the best spot, but I would try to heal the little one back. But, fine you should put it down . Don't put a pleco with a turtle

 

I admire your hope and trying, but sometimes .......

I am! I mean I can't stay the pleco is in the best spot, but I would try to heal the little one back. But, fine you should put it down . Don'put a pleco with a turtle .

 

What if he can still eat why kill him?....

 

What if he can still eat why kill him?....

If he can still eat don't kill him!

 

I hope what I'm seeing is him eating he is definitely able to move his mouth area underneath in a motion and suck stuff up like fish food on the top of the water, I saw him even spit water out of his mouth while floating at the top of the tank backwards. I know he's going to be deformed but will him only having a somewhat functional mouth really be that detrimental? I will try and see if I can get a video today of it.

 

I hope what I'm seeing is him eating he is definitely able to move his mouth area underneath in a motion and suck stuff up like fish food on the top of the water, I saw him even spit water out of his mouth while floating at the top of the tank backwards. I know he's going to be deformed but will him only having a somewhat functional mouth really be that detrimental? I will try and see if I can get a video today of it.

If he is eating he will survive! Give him a fighting chance. Put him in his own tank without any turtles. Do water changes daily, have vegetables ready for him, and stress coat.

 

I would definitely give the little guy a chance. I would recommend for you to take him out ASAP. Because if the turtle did it once, it will do it again and I don't think this little guy would take another turtle bite.

 

Does he have a name? I just want to start shouting “save Pete the pleco!” Or whatever...

 

He has been removed from that tank as of recently. I haven't given him a name but my wife calls him Mr fish, Original, I know lol.

 

Not sure what type of substrate that you use. But I think that if you put him on sand, or even go with a bare bottom, it may help him from irritating his mouth.
Just a suggestion.

 

I’m curious to see how much of the actual mouth is gone. Have you looked underneath it?

 

OP! any update?

 

His mouth has regrown most of the tissue it is no longer red at all mostly brown and the lightest spots are kind of a greyish color I want to say he's probably grown back at least 20% of what was bitten off. It looks like he can still somewhat use his mouth as I see him skimming the top of the tank for fish food. I have been adding aquarium salt and he appears to be surviving.

I will try to get a good picture he seems to be camera shy at the moment mostly resting at the bottom of the tank

This isn't a great picture I know but I'm amazed at how much has actually regrown, my only concern now is if he will be able to eat the same again.

 

Be careful with the salt, plecos are considered scaleless and do not tolerate salt very well

 

Ron and Sarah, I am gonna make my appologies to you both.

I seriously thought it wouldn't recover of this attack. Glad you didn't listen to my advise to euthanise it.

Well done Ron. Marvelous job !

 

Yay!

 

I love this thread! Great work, Ron!

 

Don't use aquarium salt. It can put the fish back more than anything else.

 

I am now concerned it's mouth may be healing shut I hope this isn't something that can happen. He appears to be eating but not the same as before.

 

I’m glad the tissue is healing. Yes he may have to eat differently, but as long as he can eat, special is ok. Recovery so far is wonderfully amazing.