How to tube feed your fish

[rssjsb]

Reviving this thread - could this method be used on a fish the size of an OSFF? I've got a female that I'm certain to lose soon. I've got various tiny syringes lying around from test kits (some that have never been used), but don't know what I would use for a tube.

 

[Squint]

I had my 5-6" long clown loach (freshwater) tube fed at UC Davis veterinary hospital a few times while under anesthesia for antibiotic injections. I believe they used a tube from a catheter. The fish is doing several months later.

Silicone (and other suitable materials) tubing of all sizes can be found online.

Another possibility is "crop needles" for feeding baby birds. Again, there is a huge variety of shapes and sizes available. They have ball ends that are blunt and are designed to fit various syringe tips. I would try rubber tubing first though.

 

[HumbleFish]

Excellent thread/video! It's refreshing to see a "think outside the box" approach like this!

 

[becon776]

Ummm I don't know if this is a sticky as it didn't say in the thread but it NEEDS to be.

 

[alprazo]

I have used multiple different tubes, including pex from a plumbing supply for a horn shark. Their back jaws are so strong, you need almost a rigid pipe or to sedate them which is costly. Anyway, for small fish, I have found that angiocaths and cordis used for IVs and central lines work the best. Of course, pull the needle or lead wire before inserting.

Btw I was able to easily tube feed a moorish idol. It can be done for most fish. Some are easier than others. I imagine something like a trigger would have to be sedated, but most fish and small sharks and rays do not.

 

[fixingstill]

Reviving this thread. I am hoping to save a spot banded bufferfly who has not eaten for 2 weeks since I bought it from my LFS.
I could not find " Finquel aka MS-222 or tricaine" online. Any hints?

 

[alprazo]

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