Handfeeding a fish?

[Valo's Moirana]

This might be a strange idea, but I'm kind of out of ideas.

I have a 55gal tropical freshwater fishtank with Chiclids, and one of them started acting strange about 4-5days ago. He started swimming either right at the surface, or just hanging out on the ground, stopped eating and eventually went into hiding unter a wood piece.
I looked for signs of illness - nothing. Then I did an extensive water test - water is fine.
I kept checking on him all day yesterday (since I was home with a terrible cold), and one time I saw a shimmer in his mouth - he swallowed a marble stone that got stuck in his mouth. Big shock! What do you do? I mean, for cats, dogs, birds you can find an emergency vet - but for fish.... so, with help from a friend we pulled that thing out (I really don't want to go into details since I did not like the procedure, but we were very gently and did not hurt him). Now he's back into hiding, but seems to be a little calmer. However, he didn't eat - neither last night, nor this morning.
I was wondering if anybody around here came across the idea of handfeeding a fish with a syringe or so. If he doesn't eat soon, he'll starve - he hasn't eaten a bite in 4-5 days.

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

I'm sorry but I have no idea. I hope he gets better soon though. I've never had to worry about that. Our fish always ate fine. Have you called around to see if its possible or not? Crystal

[svolk]

I've never heard of a way of making a fish eat. But fish can survive for up to almost 10 days without food, so I wouldn't totally worry just yet. I would keep offering him a little a couple of times per day - but remove any uneaten food if he still doesn't want any. Is there a certain food that he likes more than others? Maybe try something to entice him.

[Valo's Moirana]

Originally Posted by svolk

I've never heard of a way of making a fish eat. But fish can survive for up to almost 10 days without food, so I wouldn't totally worry just yet. I would keep offering him a little a couple of times per day - but remove any uneaten food if he still doesn't want any. Is there a certain food that he likes more than others? Maybe try something to entice him.

well, there are plenty of other fish around (too many for all that matters) so i can't specifically target foor for him, since the other ones would just eat it all.
good side is that i don't have to remove non-eaten food, since there is none

[svolk]

Hmmm...the thought of putting him into a hospital tank until he is back to normal has crossed my mind (if you have one set up and cycled, that is), but that may stress him out more.

Just keep an eye on the other cichlids that he is in with - once cichlids target a weaker fish they will physically beat up on him. I love cichlids, I'd say they are my favorite freshwater fish, but I have also seen the damage that they do, on a couple different occassions, when there is a weaker fish present. My convict almost got beaten to death about 2 months ago (not even sure why), but everyone, including his buddy in the tank, literally tore into him. I was able to get him into my 10 gallon hospital tank and nurse him back to health, but it broke my heart to see them so visciously attacking him - not the usual cichlid aggressiveness that is usually present, they were biting him all over, he had open wounds on his body all in less than 24 hours, and could barely swim anymore. Couldn't even fight back, didn't have the strength, and you know it's bad when a Convict can't fight back!

[Valo's Moirana]

unfortunately i don't have a hospital tank set up... i know i should, but with 2 fishtanks and valo's cage and gym and a little bit of my stuff it's getting crowded in my 1br apartment so there's no way of getting him out right away. i'd have to go and get another tank that i'd first have to set up.

so far they have not shown any excessive aggression towards him - more than the normal i mean. but i know what you mean about chiclids and a weaker fish - it's heart breaking to see what they can do to a fish that just had been their buddy for years and got a little weaker. i hope i don't have to go down that route.

[svolk]

I think the only thing to do at the moment is just keep an eye on him. If he is still hiding out on the bottom maybe some sinking pellets might entice him to eat?

If the water chemistry is good and no one is picking on him, I'm not sure what else you can do at the moment.

[homebird]

Could you use a divider in the tank to isolate him? I remember having one long ago to separate babies from small fry eating parents. Then you'd know if he was eating.

[Conure & Macaw Mom]

I agree with HOMEBIRD. My father used to use a divider also to seperate babies. I think it might work for you.

[svolk]

Ah yes, a divider might be the way to go! I've never had to use one so that didn't even cross my mind