[JJ09]

I had fed them crushed pellets and the littlest one- he's a third smaller than the others- ate too big a bite. Now his mouth has been stuck open since last night.

I thought it would soften but now don't know if that will happen. I'm afraid to try and remove it with tweezers- he's so small, not even an inch, how can I do that without damaging the fish.

It's one of my four-month-old fry. There's more pictures of his condition in my 33L journal.

Edit add: Actually, now that I think back, this fish was hiding under plants after I had sorted them to decide which I was re-homing, and put these back in. I though it was just stressed, didn't notice the mouth issue until after I fed them later. Maybe he damaged his mouth when I netted him? If that's the case I really don't think I can do anything for him.

 

[JJ09]

Hm well, I got another close look at the minnow just now. The tan color that was blocking his mouth is gone, I can definitely see down his throat now- but mouth still open. I did see him flex his jaw a bit, but he can't close it. So I think he managed to swallow the food, but the jaw is dislocated?

Still leery to try nudging it back in place- I'd probably do worse damage. Any thoughts?

 

[Blue Ridge Reef]

Is he eating? If not, couldn't hurt to manually try to manipulate it back into place, worst case you'd speed up the inevitable. How did you determine that the fish took big a bite? I've never known that to happen in many decades of fish-keeping, but things surprise me all the time.

 

[JJ09]

I saw it swimming around with the food piece half-in, half-out of its mouth. Then later saw it with the mouth stuck open, looked like color of the pellets in the open mouth. I think I'll wait and see how it is tomorrow. I see it going for food, but it doesn't seem to be taking any in.

 

[JJ09]

The smallest minnow is better! Jaw shut like normal, maybe just a little ajar hard to tell. Eats fine, dashes around so quickly in fact it was hard to get a good look at him. Mouth looks a little red and is probably sore, but I think he's going to be okay!