Rainbow cichlid got stuck in siphon

[RLHam3]

Yesterday I was doing my weekly water change on my planted 75 and noticed that the siphon had gotten clogged. I assumed it was plants, but when I went to unclog it my male rainbow cichlid fell out. He had somehow wedged himself face first into the siphon tube and gotten stuck that way. His face looks pretty bruised up and bloody and his mouth continues to stick out so I think it may be dislocated. I treated with melafix and stress coat. Depending on his health, I may move him into QT in a 40gal in a couple of days and continue treatment (I just don't want to add unnecessary stress by moving him to a new tank). I’ve had this fish (and his female) for 3 years now and have never had this issue with this or any other cichlid. This is one of my favorite fish and I’m very worried about him. Has anyone ever had this happen?




This pic was taken two days before :-(

 

[lp85253]

Yes... he is stressed out ,as far as I can tell, keep an eye on him , keep lights off as much as possible , others will have better ideas most likely

 

[Ang]

salt might be helpful also. other than that, just time. quarantine if the other fish are bugging him or if he gets worse instead of better.

 

[petspoiler]

couldn't hurt to put Epsom salts in his tank to help reduce swelling.