Lockjaw...why does it happen?

[Onion01]

My little pbass passed away a few days ago, and like a few of my other fish, when I found him his mouth was open and extended. Why does this happen? I have only had this happen with baby fish, never with adults. I do know that muscles that are relaxed are actually using energy. It takes energy to relax a muscle, so dead animals = no energy = rigor mortis. But again, this has only happened to my young fish. My bigger fish don't exhibit this when they die. I asked oddball, and his answer was...

Usually this state is the result of infighting between conspecifics.

Okay, I am willing to believe this...but why? Why do fish that have been beaten to death die with their mouths agape? I can't think of a reason

btw, not my pics, but good examples

 

[BushFishRox]

gasping for air?

 

[Weylin]

They puke after they die ???

That Pbass looks like it died of shock from seeing a ghost...

 

[Onion01]

gasping for air?

i don't think so. never seen a fish totally extend it's mouth to gasp for air. Only when yawning, trying to get food, or fighting. Don't see why the mouth would be frozen in that state. Also, I saw him on the verge of death (floating belly up, but still alive), and put him in his own little tank for a tranquil last few minutes of life. Until his final moment, his mouth was normal. Only after death did it extend

 

[Onion01]

They puke after they die ???

 

[Weylin]

Or either it was constipated and died from it...

 

[cichlaguapote]

I've lost some smaller pbass both due to shipping DOA's and in tank just going belly up and they do the same. Not sure why though. I don't believe it's a infighting issue to be honest. I mean it could be but I lost 2 small pbass in a shipping doa and they had the same look. I guess the two overnight could have fought? But at the same time I don't have a answer.

 

[Onion01]

I've lost some smaller pbass both due to shipping DOA's and in tank just going belly up and they do the same. Not sure why though. I don't believe it's a infighting issue to be honest. I mean it could be but I lost 2 small pbass in a shipping doa and they had the same look. I guess the two overnight could have fought? But at the same time I don't have a answer.

thanks for the non-answer

still waiting for oddball or someone else who's smart to chime in (uh, no offense to you other guys lol)

 

[Angel51087]

i would like to chime in with onion01 on this, kribensis, malawis and others ive seen die with their mouth like the pics. i dont know why either??

 

[Onion01]

c'mon oddball!!!