Blue Jack Dempsey

[Eric BT]

I have a 3in blue jack dempsey that I havent had any problems with. Last night I fed him his first feeder fish which he demolished. Today he is swimming with his mouth wide open and at times appears to be trying to regurgitate something. I can see in his mouth and there doesn't appear to be anything in it. I am new to Cichlids and do not know if this is normal. Can anyone help?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Rocksor]

Not normal. He could either be sick from the feeder, since they carry lots of diseases and/or parasites, or he has a really full stomach from the feeder.

 

[duanes]

All cichlids have a second set of jaws in their throat (similar to "Alien" in the movie).
This second set of jaws can slowly process one or more large food items over time. Those extra jaws slowly grind the item, and work it down.
But beyond that (especially because BJDs are sensitive to bacterial infections, more so than normal JDs) feeding feeder fish is especially risky.
Feeding only pellets is exponentially better for them than using feeders, that are often raised in less than perfect conditions, and often carry disease.

 

[Aicdt97]

Ericbt
Listen to rocksor and duanes comments..they are right on

 

[the animal guy]

Should be normal in a half a day. Just ate some big feeders that's why.