I was siphoning water out of my tank during a routine water change and the smallest of my five tiger barbs got too close and was sucked up. I fished him out and place him back in the tank and he seemed a little shocked. Then later I noticed he was kind of off balance and as I looked closer I saw that his pectoral fins are gone!! The poor guy. I feel so bad for him. Does anyone know if there's any chance he'll recover? Could his fins grow back? Would he survive w/out them or maybe get an infection and die? Any suggestions or words of consolation would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think his fins will grow back but I could be very wrong. I think you can treat his 'wounds' with something called melafix, if nothing else that should at least help prevent infection, as I understand, its all natural as well.

if he can swim and infection never developed on the wound... i don't see why he won't survive just fine. Good to hear

my genetically abnormal clown loach has a fascination with the syphon thingie and fears nothing really....so I try to be super careful and nudge him away when he gets too close but i know those tiger barbs are so fast they could get in there before you even see them swimming close to it. good luck and I hope the lil guys fins grow back.