Green Bay Snook Cichlid mouth dislocated

[ehite]

Have you tested your water?

No

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

21-30%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

Hey everyone. On Saturday night I had one of my 10” snook cichlids do something to its mouth during feeding time. I think it’s dislocated. I have tried to look in to info or video about how to put it back in place. Has anyone encountered this and help me save my fish? His mouth is so different than others that I don’t know where to begin with where and how to put it back to normal

 

[danotaylor]

Yikes That looks rough. Definitely appears the issue is with the top jaw.

I am a critical care RN, and have a suggestion based on anatomy. My disclaimer is o am not an orthopedic specialist & have have never done this, so I can’t take responsibility for what happens if you try it, but i wonder if you catch the fish, hold it gently in a wet face washer, and push gently where the arrow is pointing



You may even need to pull forward very gently on the top lip and you gently press where the arrow is.

Let us know what happens

 

[ehite]

Thank u so much for ur recommendation! We tried it last night and it worked! Once we got the bony upper part of his mouth in, I continued to massage that area and his mouth continued to go back more to “normal.” It looks pretty bruised and inflamed, but way better than it was. Now he has a chance to live. Thanks again for ur advice.

 

[danotaylor]

That is awesome
It was my pleasure to provide a recommendation
The fish looks SO much better. The swelling should go down over a week or so.
As with any dislocation, the mechanics of the area will be weakened and prone to the same thing happening again. At least you have a strategy that works now!
Well done mate! Strong work

 

[duanes]

This type dislocation is fairly common in Petania, I had it happen years ago, when I had them.
I did the same thing as dano, netted it, and gently massaged the jaw back into place.
I also found that they get spooked if lights go on all at once, so started having lights go on gradually by using timers a few minutes apart.

 

[ehite]

Thank u so much to the 2 of u!! I have had snook cichlids for a few decades on and off, but never encountered this problem before. It’s just very intimidating when seeing the mouth dislocated like that and trying to figure out how to fix it. That’s a lot of mouth!! lol

 

[danotaylor]

You’re right about that mouth…HUGE

 

[danotaylor]

How’s the snook doing mate? Has the bruising and swelling subsided? Is it eating and it’s jaw performing normally again?

 

[ehite]

Yes! Thank u for asking! He is back to normal, like nothing ever happened. Thank u for ur help!

 

[danotaylor]

That’s so great to hear mate. You’re very welcome!