Rainbow fish with lock jaw ???

[Lizardking]

Not sure who's the alpha yet, as I only bought the rainbows last weekend.
On first reflections though I would guess that he isn't - maybe he got his ass kicked?

yes it sound like it. dont know if theres anything to do though. click the link in my sig, theres everything you need to know about rainbows.

 

[fishdance]

This can happen if you feed hard pellets. If the jaw doesnt snap back in place by itself after a day or two then it is unlikely to return back without external help. If left like this then the mouth will repair itself, often locking the jaw permanently.

I would wait a day or two and then if necessary, catch and pop the jaw back in. Keep the fish in the net and grasp gently but firmly. Will only take a few seconds and it is easier than it sounds although using the blunt end of a toothpick may help if you have big fingers.

 

[Arachnar]

I would be worried that he didn't slam it into anything, rainbows also have large mouths but small throats maybe something that he ate is stuck in his mouth.

 

[fishlover12]

to let u kno ur tank is like 80 gallon from the demensions not 46

 

[Doozie]

Thanks guys for your help. But unfortunately the fish died last night.

 

[craig_uk]

Sorry to hear mate, bit of a strange one.

Best of luck with the remaining fish.

 

[dragonscrawling]

I know exactly what you are speaking about and I have seen this with a number of different species of rainbows but never with another fish, it is very different to jaw damage I have seen on oscars, tetras, etc. I don't know what causes it, all I have come up with is stress or damage from swimming in to something.