Anthias Lockjaw
- Thread starter jezzeaepi
- Start date
Help Support Reef Aquarium & Tank Building Forum:
I tested my water again to make sure it was ok, and it tested fine( 1.027 sg, 420cal, 8dkh alk, 1200mag, 0ppm nitrates). The tank has been set up for a year now in its current location, and 2 years before that at my last apartment. My guess is that it was caused by an injury rather then an infection. Is there anything I can do? He does not seem to be able to eat at all =(
76Frags
Well-known member
That stinks 
. Can you quarantine and try to feed with a turkey baster? Not sure how shy the fish is.
. Can you quarantine and try to feed with a turkey baster? Not sure how shy the fish is.76Frags
Well-known member
i'm assuming you haven't changed the type of food that you are feeding?
If the condition is truly the jaw stuck in the open position, then it is usually hyperextension.
Hyperextension is most common in fishes that feed on aufwuchs (algal turfs and their associated microfauna), and is caused by the locking of a bone called the urohyal into the cleithra, it may be easily resolved without damage by anesthetizing the fish with MS-222 and using a fine, blunt tipped probe to gently depress the urohyal from the INSIDE of the jaw, this "unlocks" the jaw. If the jaw is pushed back from the outside one or both of the cleithra may fracture, resulting in a possibly life-long deformation.
No hobbyists usually perform this procedure. Best handled by a vet. Of course, this is assuming that is the proper diagnosis.
There are times when a nourishment deficiency brings such a condition on. But the deficiency would be chronic (over a long period of time in developing). Not sure it would apply here, though.
Lastly, a muscular/neurological damage issue could lead to this, in which case the fish will return to normal after it repairs itself. If nourished properly, the fish will heal on its own.
Not really all that much to do other than wait and maybe review the feeding regime and diet to reduce the likelihood of this in the future.
Hyperextension is most common in fishes that feed on aufwuchs (algal turfs and their associated microfauna), and is caused by the locking of a bone called the urohyal into the cleithra, it may be easily resolved without damage by anesthetizing the fish with MS-222 and using a fine, blunt tipped probe to gently depress the urohyal from the INSIDE of the jaw, this "unlocks" the jaw. If the jaw is pushed back from the outside one or both of the cleithra may fracture, resulting in a possibly life-long deformation.
No hobbyists usually perform this procedure. Best handled by a vet. Of course, this is assuming that is the proper diagnosis.
There are times when a nourishment deficiency brings such a condition on. But the deficiency would be chronic (over a long period of time in developing). Not sure it would apply here, though.
Lastly, a muscular/neurological damage issue could lead to this, in which case the fish will return to normal after it repairs itself. If nourished properly, the fish will heal on its own.
Not really all that much to do other than wait and maybe review the feeding regime and diet to reduce the likelihood of this in the future.
