Dwarf Cockatoo Cichlid Has Lockjaw

[krazykat]

What's wrong with him? I see him attempting to eat but he can't close his mouth. All the other fish in the heavily planted tank, including the two female cockatoo cichlids, are fine. Everybody else seems fine except for him. Help!

[FishyLady]

Could he have something stuck in his throat?

Val

[krazykat]

It doesn't seem like he does. It just looks like he is unable to move his jaws.

[krazykat]

is there anyone out there that can offer any help?

[Diana]

Cichlids can argue with each other, including male x female and can injure their jaws. They often argue by biting each others' mouths.
Give him a chance to heal If the other fish are picking on him move him to a hospital tank. Fish are fine not eating for a while, and he does not have any infection, but might simply need some peace and quiet until he heals.

[kaz]

Hey there

My dwarf cichlid has done this in the past - she looks very uncomfortable - but she usually sorts it out herself within 2-3 days.

The first time she did this I was concerned that she has something lodged in her throat - but she had dislocated her jaw - perhaps from sparring or trying to eat something that was too big (she often attempts to eat my algae wafer pieces - not whole ones, but substantial enough!).

Dont worry too much - keep monitoring.

Kaz

[krazykat]

The big guy still has lockjaw. Aside from that, he is still behaving normally. I see him performing courting and mating behaviors with his two females and being the boss of the tank. I will continue to monitor his condition. It is just frustrating to see a fish in this condition for no apparent reason for this length of time. I just hope he is not in pain.