I came home from work two days ago and my 18 month old Albino Oscar's mouth was stuck open. He still has not be able to close it. He tries to eat but is not getting very much to stay in.
I don't think that there is anything physically stuck in his mouth, as I have a sand bottom, and all the other fish appear intact. I do have a large pleco that he argues with about territory occasionally, but it usually is half-hearted, and it doesn't look like there is any fin damage or spines missing from the pleco.
It is bothering him and sometimes he swims along the bottom and rubs it on the sand. His respirations look fine and he is otherwise OK, but will soon be in trouble due to lack of nutrition.
No recent changes in the tank, water tests look good. Tankmates are another Oscar (both are about 5 inches), a 3" red terror, a 3" green terror, and a 5" Starry Night cichlid - 125 gallons.
I read in some posts that a bone above the mouth can get stuck, and it may help to massage the jaw to try and get it to slip back in to place. Has anyone run in to this problem?
I would be heartbroken to lose this guy. He was the very first baby cichlid I got, and he is best friends with my other Oscar who would be super depressed without him. They are in constant contact.
I would be willing to take him to a vet, but I can't find one that works with fish. Any suggestions would be so appreciated!
I don't think that there is anything physically stuck in his mouth, as I have a sand bottom, and all the other fish appear intact. I do have a large pleco that he argues with about territory occasionally, but it usually is half-hearted, and it doesn't look like there is any fin damage or spines missing from the pleco.
It is bothering him and sometimes he swims along the bottom and rubs it on the sand. His respirations look fine and he is otherwise OK, but will soon be in trouble due to lack of nutrition.
No recent changes in the tank, water tests look good. Tankmates are another Oscar (both are about 5 inches), a 3" red terror, a 3" green terror, and a 5" Starry Night cichlid - 125 gallons.
I read in some posts that a bone above the mouth can get stuck, and it may help to massage the jaw to try and get it to slip back in to place. Has anyone run in to this problem?
I would be heartbroken to lose this guy. He was the very first baby cichlid I got, and he is best friends with my other Oscar who would be super depressed without him. They are in constant contact.
I would be willing to take him to a vet, but I can't find one that works with fish. Any suggestions would be so appreciated!
