Dwarf cichlid appears to have something lodged in her throat

[kaz]

Hello

Can anyone give me some advice on what I could do to help a suspected foreign body in my female cichlids throat?

She looked a little distressed last night and didnt eat - i suspected something may be stuck but she appeared reasonably calm considering.

Today I have been at work and have only just checked on her and have found her to be very pale, with distended jaw and gills. I cant quite see if there is definitely something in her throat - she has done something like this before but not to this extreme and now im very concerned.

Any suggestions welcomed
a concerned Kaz

ps have tried to get a pic but she keeps hiding so it is proving difficult

[Diana]

These fish may dig, so a bit of gravel is possible.
For a larger fish you can try to get it out (if you can see it) with forceps. But this small a fish makes such an attempt almost impossible.

[kaz]

These fish may dig, so a bit of gravel is possible.
For a larger fish you can try to get it out (if you can see it) with forceps. But this small a fish makes such an attempt almost impossible.

Yes Diana this is as I thought....sigh. She appears better today and is trying to eat but her jaw seems out of line almost. I will continue to monitor her.
Thank you

Kaz

[mickthefish]

Kaz, when i use to keep apisto's they seemed prone to dislocating their jaws wether it was from sparring or courtship i'm not sure, but most of the time the jaw went back in place.

mick

[kaz]

Kaz, when i use to keep apisto's they seemed prone to dislocating their jaws wether it was from sparring or courtship i'm not sure, but most of the time the jaw went back in place.

mick

Hmmm
yes I think this is what she has done - because the jaw looks a little better today. She has been coming to the surface to eat, but now has to swim back down to swallow.

I think there have been set to's with one of my other fish - false SAE - never was too sure if they were suited together in the first place - they tended to realise the other's need for space and 'tolerated' one another. However, a few weeks ago the Cichlid did this (now known to be dislocation) to her jaw (and recovered over a period of 48hrs). I didnt see any sparring ...but it doesnt mean it didnt happen. This time around my false SAE has a bit of damage on his LHside - minimal but this fills the gap in the mystery somewhat.
The F-SAE is now in my quarantine tank to recoop

Thanks Mick it all begins to make sense

Kaz

[kaz]

All seems fine again already
whew
Thank you for your advice Mick and Diana

Kaz

[Diana]

False SAE... Flying Fox, Epalzeorhynchos kalopterus?
...is a somewhat argumentative fish. Usually the aggression is directed toward other shark shaped fish, relatives or others, not as often directed toward other fish. However, I would not be surprised to hear that they did have an argument. Flying Foxes are pretty fish, but are not for your average community tank.

[kaz]

Hi Diana
Yes, the false SAE (Garra taeniataa )

was a purchase recommended by someone in an aquarium! I know I should have researched myself before taking this persons word for it, but....

As I mentioned before I have never really seen my false SAE spar or fight with the Cichlid, but this doesnt mean it hasnt happened. They have tolerated each other for 2 years now and have never damaged one another nor fought.

I have the false SAE in quarantine atm. If this (cichlid dislocation of jaw) happens again when I return it to the main tank I will have to rethink the situation/ set up. I am reluctant to re-home either fish.

Kaz

[Diana]

Different species than the one I have seen sold as false SAE.
From what little checking I have done since you listed the Latin name it sounds like it has a similar personality to the fish I know. More interested in defending its territory from other shark shaped fish, not so likely to be aggressive to other (not similarly shaped) fish.