Bristlenose with thread stuck in mouth

[mattindevon]

Hi, first post here in a good while.

I have a bristlenose with a short length (approx. 1") of thread stuck in his mouth. It seems to be snagged to his teeth. I have just tried netting him and carefully attempted to tease the thread out with him upside down. But it wasn't coming. Luckily he seems to be ok otherwise, but obviously I don't want it in there. No idea how it got in the tank in the first place.

Any suggestions?

[Pagodaswan]

Have you got rocks or wood with moss or any other plant attached?

Frequently the moss or plant is attached with thread, if bought already attached (or done yourself). Bristlenoses do like to suck on everything and can easily get caught in a loose end.

A few years ago one of my female Bristlenoses got herself tangled overnight on a Tropica lava rock with moss (supplied already attached), she had tangled her mouth and gil plates in the twine. I ended up removing her still attached to the rock but had to euthanise her as she had been fighting so much that she made the tangles worse.

I avoid rocks and wood with pre-attached plant/moss now unless they are glued. Although the twine that they use is well attached, a Bristlenose can still untie it and get into trouble.

As to getting it out of your Bristlenose mouth, you can try fine tweezers but be aware that it might be tangled into the gil plates, it is virtually impossible to get it out of there without damaging the fish further. Keep an eye on the fish, if it seems to be unaffected by it, then OK but if it gets lethargic or stops eating, you may have to euthanise due to injury/infection or problems with feeding/breathing.

[Martinspuddle]

I have a bristlenose with a short length (approx. 1") of thread stuck in his mouth.

I wouldn't try to get it out of his mouth, hopefully in time it should deteriorate and fall out.

I have to agree with @Pagodaswan I don't use any cotton or other type of thread for attaching plants with Ancistrus in the aquarium, only superglue.

[Pagodaswan]

I have a bristlenose with a short length (approx. 1") of thread stuck in his mouth.

I wouldn't try to get it out of his mouth, hopefully in time it should deteriorate and fall out.

I have to agree with @Pagodaswan I don't use any cotton or other type of thread for attaching plants with Ancistrus in the aquarium, only superglue.

The problem with a lot of the thread used both by DIYers and companies like Tropica for attaching plants/moss to wood or rocks is they use clear or black nylon twine and that doesn't break down, it just cuts into the flesh with every struggle or movement by a fish caught in it.

Tbh I really do not know why companies use twine when superglue gel (cyanoacrylate) is perfect for the job since it is nontoxic and the gel variant doesn't run everywhere whilst you are attaching things. Cyanoacrylate superglue is way safer for the fish...especially the scavenger/sucker type fish like Bristlenoses.

[Martinspuddle]

We always use to use black cotton which over time does break down but I found fish could still get caught up in it.

[mattindevon]

Thanks for the replies. It's possible in theory that it was left over from when I attached a java fern to a bit of bogwood, but I pulled that (and most of the old fern) off.

He's motoring around and eating so it looks like I'll just have to monitor the situation. It's only around the entrance to his mouth and not touching his gill areas. If I see it's come off I'll be going through the tank with a fine toothed comb.

[Pagodaswan]

Thanks for the replies. It's possible in theory that it was left over from when I attached a java fern to a bit of bogwood, but I pulled that (and most of the old fern) off.

He's motoring around and eating so it looks like I'll just have to monitor the situation. It's only around the entrance to his mouth and not touching his gill areas. If I see it's come off I'll be going through the tank with a fine toothed comb.

Best bet is to just keep an eye on him and look out for any changes in his behaviour or activity levels

The next few water changes you might want to run a finger over all the decor and perhaps peer underneath decor gently as you might find other bits of the thread caught up here and there. The flow of water will move any other bits of thread and they can get caught on decor very easily. I would keep an eye open for bits of rogue thread and hook them out as/when you spot anything. Running a finger over the decor will also pick up and sharp edges or roughness too which can be dealt with easily.

Bottom line is really just watch for signs of the fish having difficulties or becoming less active or if he starts breaching/surface air gulping a lot as that is a potential sign that something is not well with him.

[mattindevon]

The thread has disappeared and, if I vacuumed it out, I haven't seen it. Mr Bristlenose is fine, so I can't imagine he ingested it. Most curious.

[Martinspuddle]

He may have of already pass it, fingers crossed.