Force feeding a sick fish?

[spongebob281]

I also post this topic in the other forum. Figure i'd do it here for maximum exposure I'm forced feeding my sick fish in QT(ich) with a small syringe since he may be far too gone i figure it wouldnt hurt. I hope he'll regain his strength and pull it through. Please advise

 

[kimbo]

i have force fed trigers and grupers but never anything else sometimes it helps wat kinda fish

 

[Squidhead9]

Never tried it with a fish, but I tried it a couple times when my kids were little. Always ended badly:sad2: :thumbdown

 

[JHemdal]

spongebob,

I've done a bit of work on this - tube-feeding does work, but you have to apply the technique in the right situation - a fish that is dying from an unresolved problem will not be helped by tube-feeding.

Some information about this can be found by googling hemdal and anorexia - that will lead to a link for an online article I wrote about a year ago. That's pretty funny really, because at 260 pounds, I think that must be the only time my name has every been associated with the word "anorexia"(grin).

My Advanced Marine Aquarium Techniques book also has a comprehensive section in it on tube-feeding....


Jay Hemdal

 

[discusone]

It can be done.Back in the early 60s,when i kept discus,i forcefed several young discus,mainly wild caught browns and greens,that refused all food.Some success,and some miserable failures.

recently,i have a c.barronessa,going strong after5/6 months that i forcefed for the first 2 weeks.I used the syringe and tip from an old salfert testing kit.It was a very delicate operation,the food quantity was very small,and given several times over the day.

The food items were a mix of grated scallop/clam,with frozen rotifers.After several weeks,she began to take food from the water column.

forcefeeding is a standard pratice in herpetology,(reptiles,mainly snakes),to get young boas,and pythons to survive.Newborn mice,referred to as pinkies,are given to newborn constrictors,via a devise referred to as a pinkiepump.

Now,i know this is controversial,so,be aware that infections can occur.Forcefeeding a saltwaterfish is far different than forcefeeding a snake.Snakes can be given a food item,then feeding is not required for several more days.Saltwater fish need several feedings a day to remain healthy,so the labor and time are extensive,to say the least.

 

[IslandCrow]

at 260 pounds, I think that must be the only time my name has every been associated with the word "anorexia"

Now, that's funny. Thanks for that article. It's definitely a good read.