OK, I am dead annoyed with myself - I have been SOOOO stupid but here is what happened:
I was re-arrranging the tank to put some more caves in and I took out a hard plastic ornament (the only one in the tank) to get to the slate. The ornament was hollow inside at some parts so I shook it (as a precaution) but I heard nothing so I left it on the lid next to me. Next thing I know, I hear noise inside - plec!!! I check and here he is .. I immediately placed it back in the water thinking it was one of my youngsters who got trapped. I shook it, tipped it to one side and put food, but the "youngster" wouldn't come out. I thought he was trapped - so I went and took a pair of massive garden shears to break the ... thing open and free him. Unfortunately, the ornament was only part hollow so I had to keep clipping from whichever angle I could while it was under the water .. anyway as I was clipping top and bottom with the thing in the tank .. CALAMITY! I clipped part of the youngster's nose with the shears. There was now enough space for him to move out, but he wouldn't - so I thought he passed away or something. I proceeded however - and he eventually got out! I was very surprised to see he was one of my male bristlenoses (not big, but fair size). I took the ornament to the kitchen to throw it away - and under the kitchen downlighters (they are very strong) I see FRY!!!
The guy was not stuck - he was guarding his babies, which is why he wouldn't come out!!!
He is now in the tank, but very uncomfortable (he keeps waging his pectoral and dorsal fins) and he keeps returning to the spot that his spawning "nest" had been. There is a UV steriliser and an ozoniser in the tank, so the water is reasonably sterilised. Question:
IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP HIM? WILL HE MAKE IT?
Question 2: Anything I can do for the fry AND the eggs (other than the usual)? I always had my bristlenoses breeding in the tank, I never took the fry away, and they always did fine!
PLEASE HELP!!!!!
PICTURES BELOW:
P.S. I also got a picture of the bit that got chopped off but I will not post it unless it is of any help, in which case please ask!!!
