I’m worried

[Ravenes]

I have two Cory catfish that attached themselves to a power head. Thinking they were dead I tried prying them off the filter to throw away turns out they were alive. I’m worried did I kill my fish?

 

[Fishmanic]

If you pryed them off with a crowbar, the result may not be good. If you pulled them off by their tails after turning off power filter then they may be ok. Either way, you should know soon. If they're swimming again, they'll probably will be fine. Time will tell.

 

[Ravenes]

I was prying them off with my fish net

 

[Fishmanic]

Did you turn off the power filter first
are they swimming normally now

 

[Ravenes]

They seem to be swimming normally

 

[Fishmanic]

I believe they will be fine. If you didn't find them in time, they probable would have died. You saved their lives.
How are you going to prevent it from happening again?

 

[Fishmanic]

You probably should attach a sponge filter to the inlet of the power head.

 

[Ravenes]

It’s the part that sucks water. Idk it seems like dead fish get sucked into it without actually getting sucked in it’s too small of a part and it’s got slits. Idk I’m thinking of getting an air stone as well as a sponge

 

[Fishmanic]

Which model power filter do you have.

 

[Ravenes]

Penn plax cascade I forgot which model

 

[GaryE]

I've never had a healthy fish get stuck on a filter inlet. Usually, that's a sign the fish is unwell.

As always when there's a question, do a 30% water change with dechlorination, and keep doing one weekly, at least.