Porcupine Puffer ate my glass Floating Thermometer!!!

my2rotties · #1 12-14-2009, 08:47 PM

In all the time I have had him, he never once laid on the sand bed. I wish we could take him to the vet. Keep trying the peas to see if he might pass out whatever he might have ingested.

Also he LOVES big chunks of frozen mysis. Expensive treat but he would ALWAYS eat it. I would be hand feeding it to everyone else and he would come gulp it up out of my hands and I did not argue.

Keeping both fingers crossed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulletsworld

Stewie has been under the weather. He's been laying on the sand bed alot. Today he tried to eat but seems to not be able to chew. It does look like he cut his mouth a bit, most likely on the glass. I noticed he has slowed down quite a bit. However I think he's on the road to recovery, since he did manage to swallow some food this morning and showed interest in it. Stewie's tough stuff. I'm sure he will recover.

All the fish, except for Stewie have been removed from the main tank & housed in another tank until I completely do a few water changes and find all the broken glass and silver tiny beads. I was away this weekend, so I will try the magnet idea after work.

hillegom · #2 12-14-2009, 09:53 PM

Unfortunately lead is not attracted to a magnet. Only iron, (Fe) is. If those balls are lead, you will have to "find" them.

bulletsworld · #3 12-16-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillegom

Unfortunately lead is not attracted to a magnet. Only iron, (Fe) is. If those balls are lead, you will have to "find" them.

I did try the magnet idea and you are CORRECT! It didn't work! The lead balls will NOT stick to the magnet. I just removed all the fish, parts of the sand bed, the best I could, running carbon and began a series of water changes.

The manufacter of these thermometers say that the very bottom of the tubes are made up of small parts of metal balls (to help sink) and lead balls.

Thank you for posting!

sphelps · #4 12-14-2009, 09:55 PM

So has he eaten since the incident? If not you might want to consider my initial suggestion, it's not always easy to do the right thing but often very easy to do the wrong thing.

my2rotties · #5 12-14-2009, 10:57 PM

Leeanne mentions that he has been eating, but his mouth could have injuries...

Griffie is a very large puffer and I have no idea of how someone would put this fish down. I don't even want to think about it yet... he is a tough fish and I am sure he will be fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

So has he eaten since the incident? If not you might want to consider my initial suggestion, it's not always easy to do the right thing but often very easy to do the wrong thing.

sphelps · #6 12-15-2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2rotties

Leeanne mentions that he has been eating, but his mouth could have injuries...

Griffie is a very large puffer and I have no idea of how someone would put this fish down. I don't even want to think about it yet... he is a tough fish and I am sure he will be fine.

I didn't see mention of it actually eating only trying to eat. You'd put the fish down by freezing it. Glass isn't like snail shells, it's much harder and when it shatters it can be extremely sharp. A person could easily eat and pass hard shells and many other objects but glass not so much. I've also kept puffers and they certainly are tough but rarely loose there appetite. IMO chances aren't good if it still hasn't eaten.

my2rotties · #7 12-15-2009, 12:18 AM

Griffie has gone well over 10 days without eating when he ate snails he could not digest. If he was here with me, I would be hard pressed to put a giant puffer into a container and freeze him to death! This fish is more like a human being, or a house pet... to freeze him to death would be out of the question! I am sure I can speak for Leeanne on this as well. I know she will try the mysis when she sees to try it. If I did not live so far away, I would be down there like a shot.

I think it is too soon to do anything. I also recall being advised to feed him only once a week back when I got him. Give him a chance he will come through it, I know he will. I am very attached to this fish even though I don't have him anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

I didn't see mention of it actually eating only trying to eat. You'd put the fish down by freezing it. Glass isn't like snail shells, it's much harder and when it shatters it can be extremely sharp. A person could easily eat and pass hard shells and many other objects but glass not so much. I've also kept puffers and they certainly are tough but rarely loose there appetite. IMO chances aren't good if it still hasn't eaten.

sphelps · #8 12-15-2009, 01:15 AM

Lets all hope for the best.

my2rotties · #9 12-15-2009, 02:24 AM

It's all we can do...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sphelps

Lets all hope for the best.

Funky_Fish14 · #10 12-19-2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my2rotties

If he was here with me, I would be hard pressed to put a giant puffer into a container and freeze him to death! This fish is more like a human being, or a house pet... to freeze him to death would be out of the question!

I would think it shouldn't matter what kind of animal it is... I would hope it wouldn't matter anyways. Im not saying freezing is right (it is infact inhumane), I just think the species or attachment level should be inconsequential in such a decision-making process.