My Poor Little Cobalt!

[angelhf13]

I'm such a bad mom! Thet other day I did a complete "overhaul" on my 55....took everything out, cleaned the gravel, moved some fish around, etc. Took 3 hours, but I was happy with the outcome, and everyone in the tank seemed excited about the redecorating. The next morning, at feeding time, I noticed one of my cobalts never came out to eat...was worried, but had to get to work. That night, fed again to see if he came out....nothing! I was so devistated....my 2 cobalts are my favorite pair! kept looking, even moved a couple things trying to find him, still nothing. As I began the dreaded removal of all those rock...yet again....I saw him!.....pinned up against the side of the tank between the glass and a peice of slate. I almost wanted to cry, just knowing he was dead...looked a little closer and his eye moved! Reached in and moved the slate away from the glass....and he slowly swam out. After a few seconds, he got it together and swam all around, battered and bruised, but happy to be free! Poor little thing, his fins are all torn, and he's missing a few scales. One of his eyes looked a little "smooshed" and cloudy, but seems better today. Poor little guy was in there 24+ hours trying to get free! :nervous:
I feel so bad! But Im happy he's ok......and just wanted to share this to remind everyone to be careful when redecorating....especially with heavy stuff like slate and rock! Make sure all those little guys are accounted for afterwards! :)
I never really thought about it before this...always thought they would just get out of the way like they always seem to....but thats not always the case....a lesson learned on my part!

[CichlidLover33]

My bet is that after tomorrow he's as good as new... save for the couple weeks of healing.

I've had a couple Aulonacara's of mine take the heave ho right out of the tank when I put my hand up to feed. The first time it happened I was a little worried and figured they'd be all screwed up.. so I plopped him back in the tank and he goes right on eating like nothing ever happened... lol. It's happened a couple times since then too... stupid guys hehe.

[angelhf13]

>>"I've had a couple Aulonacara's of mine take the heave ho right out of the tank when I put my hand up to feed. "

I know! I always worry they are going to jump out when I feed them! My worst problem is that the cats are always watching them when I feed, so if one takes the plunge.....kitty gets a snack! Thats aweful.....shouldn't joke about it....I love my fish as much as my cats. :)

My little cobalt is almost back to himself.....eye is back to normal.