When I was in my teens and got my first aquarium, I fed the fish in the community tank the wrong thing: medium-sized sinking pellets.
The bigger fish ate them all up, but a smaller Cardinal tetra got one stuck in its throat.
They really can, as I learned the scary way! But how do you know if your fish is choking and what should you do? Let’s find out…
Fish choking on food is an uncommon but serious issue in home aquariums. As fish owners it’s our responsibility to understand the risks and know how to prevent and handle choking incidents. In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about fish choking.
What Causes Fish to Choke?
Fish can choke on food that is too large or irregularly shaped for them to swallow properly. Some common choking hazards include:
- Large feeder fish or shrimp
- Uneaten live foods like brine shrimp or blackworms
- Irregularly shaped foods like large flakes or pellets
- Gravel or decor sucked into the mouth while eating
- Parasites blocking the throat
Small fish that eat very small foods like bettas, tetras, and guppies rarely choke. It’s more common in aggressive eaters that gulp down food and large species that eat bigger meals. Oscar fish, arowana, pufferfish, triggerfish, and lionfish are at higher risk.
Recognizing the Signs of Choking
Choking fish will display very obvious signs of distress. Watch for:
- Gapimg at the surface for air
- Flared gills
- Swimming irregularly or upside down
- Rubbing against objects in the tank
- Clamped fins
- Bloated belly
A fish choking on an object may repeatedly open and close its mouth trying to dislodge it They may also extend their throat area or “cough”
What to Do if Your Fish is Choking
Take action quickly if you notice signs of choking. Here are some steps to help a choking fish:
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Isolate the Fish: Move the fish to a hospital tank so you can monitor it closely. Reduce stressors and make sure water parameters are ideal.
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Let it Pass Naturally: Sometimes, a fish can dislodge an object caught in its throat by coughing it up. Give it 10-15 minutes to pass the blockage on its own.
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Remove the Object: If the blockage doesn’t pass, you may need to remove it. This takes some skill. Carefully wrap the fish in a wet paper towel and use tweezers to grasp and pull out the lodged food or object.
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Medicate: Use an anti-parasitic medication if flukes or worms are blocking the throat. This will kill off the parasites so the fish can swallow again.
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Soft Foods: Feed soft, bite-sized foods while recovering. Soak dry foods to soften them up if needed.
Preventing Choking in Aquarium Fish
Prevention is the best cure. Here are some tips to reduce the risk of choking:
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Avoid overfeeding. Don’t let uneaten food accumulate.
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Feed appropriate sized foods that fish can swallow easily.
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Crush large foods like freeze dried krill into bite-size pieces.
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Soak dry foods before feeding to soften them up.
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Remove feeder fish or shrimp once fish start eating to prevent gorging.
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Quarantine new fish for parasites before adding to main tank.
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Use gravel substrates larger than a fish’s mouth opening.
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Perform regular tank maintenance to remove debris and uneaten food.
Outlook for Choking Survivors
The survival rate for a choking fish depends on how quickly the blockage is removed. If you can clear the object within 30 minutes, most fish will recover fully.
Fish that choked on parasites may be prone to repeat infections. Use preventive measures and quarantine new fish. Monitor eating behavior to make sure the fish is swallowing properly.
While choking is very stressful, fish that recover can live long healthy lives. Proper nutrition and optimal water conditions will help a choking survivor thrive. With some adjustments, choking incidents can be avoided in the future.
Choking, while uncommon, does happen to aquarium fish. Aggressive eaters and large fish that eat bigger foods are most at risk. Careful observation, prevention, and quick action are key to saving a choking fish. With the right response, most choking incidents can have a positive outcome for fish.
What Are the Symptoms of a Choking Fish?
As we’ve discovered, choking in the oral cavity can prevent a fish from breathing normally.
If this is the case, your fish will probably gasp and open its mouth wide to try to get water through its gills. Gill movement will also become very rapid.
If the condition gets worse, the fish will probably stop moving around a lot. It might just hang still at the bottom of the tank or on the surface of the water.
If you don’t treat it right away, your fish might start to lose its balance and swim sideways, upside down, or even float on the surface of the water.
If the obstacle is not removed, your fish will eventually die from a lack of oxygen.
Things that are stuck further down in the esophagus or are small enough to let the fish breathe may still make it impossible for the fish to eat.
When I saw this happen to my Cardinal tetra, I could tell the fish was upset because of the blockage because it wouldn’t eat anything else until this first piece was gone.
That being said, the most obvious signs that a fish is choking are not wanting to eat and generally looking sick.
Get close to the aquarium glass and try to find the thing that’s stuck. A magnifying glass may be helpful, especially if it’s a small freshwater fish.
How To Treat a Fish That Is Choking
Following these steps right away is what you need to do if your fish is choking and showing signs of suffocation. Leaving the fish unable to breathe properly could result in death in a short period of time.
If you know your fish is breathing well but has a blockage in its esophagus, you could leave it alone for 24 hours to see if the blockage goes away on its own.
Over time, hard pieces of food can soften and be swallowed or spat out. Even hard things may eventually pass through the body.
But if, after a day, the obstruction is still there, it’s time to get it out. Here’s how:
You’ll need a net, a wet cloth, and a long pair of tweezers. Tweezers without sharp points are preferable to avoid hurting your fish.
Bring your fish to a corner of the tank with your net. Then, slowly raise your net to the water’s surface to catch your fish.
What Fish Feel When They Are Killed for Food | NowThis
Can fish choke on food?
As with any animal (including humans) that eats and then tries to swallow food or other items that are too large for their throat and esophagus to handle, the potential is certainly there for a fish to choke on food. Fish can and do choke on all sorts of items in their environment.
Why does one feel as if they are choking on their food when they eat?
Inflammation of the pharynx, tonsils, and larynx, as well as esophageal diseases such as reflux esophagitis, cause discomfort such as a foreign body sensation, difficulty swallowing such as choking, and a feeling of being stuck in the throat. In rare cases, throat discomfort may appear as an early symptom of laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, or esophageal cancer. I think that it is desirable to undergo an endoscopy at an otorhinolaryngology department once.
Can fish choke on plastic?
Fish can also choke on loose pieces of plastic, for example, fake seaweed or tank decorations. A fish will choke and gasp for air if it has damaged gills or if the water is not oxygen-rich. Some causes for water not carrying enough oxygen include too many live plants and overpopulated tanks.
Why do fish choke?
Fish choke if they try to eat something that’s too large to fit in their mouth. The object can get stuck in their mouth, impeding its movement. This causes improper functioning of the gills, which results in choking. Fish can choke on various food items, gravel, rock, or substrates. Any living being can choke, including fish.