Johawk

One of my tiger barbs mouths is won't shut. It doesn't seem to be acting differently. It also appeared to eat during the last feeding a few hours ago, that's when I noticed it. The 6 other barbs in the tank look healthy as well as my red tailed shark. Any ideas?

Harley

Really it's mouth is stuck open? As long as the fish eats, acts normal and is not bullied it should be fine! But I really have no clue on what to do? If it was my barb I would try to close it's mouth but I'm worried that it might break it's jaw. Phone your local pet store when there open next and see what they say. I'll phone my local pet store and see what they say!

0morrokh

I've heard at least 2 other people before mention a similar problem...I remember one case being with zebra danios. Sorry I have no clue what the cause/cure for this is, but I'm very interested if anyone else knows.

More tank info will probably help...
tank size?
numer and types of fish?
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, temp readings?
what are you feeding?
water change schedule?

Johawk

I would try to close its mouth too, but it is only about 1 1/4 inches long. I am a big guy and don't have a very gentle touch. I am afraid that the jaw might be broken already and don't want to cause the fish anymore pain.

29g tank with 7 tiger barbs and 1 red tailed shark
Temp is around 75 degrees
I don't know the nitrite, nitrate and ammonia readings, I don't have a test kit. The tank has been up and running for a few months. The fish don't show any signs of stress or illness. In fact, ever since I put my shark in there her color has improved greatly compared to when she was in the 10g. The barbs are brightly colored as well.

I change about 5 gallons of water a week.

COBettaCouple

Does he show any signs of trauma around his mouth?

Johawk

There doesn't appear to be any signs of trauma. It is kind of hard to see because she still swims around so much. The more I think about it, she may have hurt herself when swiming away from my RTBS. The shark has a tendancy to chase the barbs while they are all feeding.

Oh, I feed Tetramin flakes primarily. Most of the time their first feeding is flakes then at night I feed frozen brine shrimp, freeze dried blood worms or sun dried river shrimp. Once a week I put a piece of blanched zuccinni in the tank for a couple days then take it out.

angelfish220

Yeah I have a zebra danio like that! I dont know how it happened but it did. I attempted to shut the mouth but I think that it just stressed the fish out. she is fine but gets special treatment. I take a algae wafer ( meant for catfish or plecos) and Pulverize it in a fine powder I put the powder in a plastic container (just a regular gladware or a container Cool-Wip comes in) By now the fish swims right in the container when ever I put in the the tank because she knows it has food but originally I had to kinda chase her in. She swims around in the container with the powder suspended in the water. the food coats the inside of her mouth and I guess its working because shes been living like that for a while now. once she settles down or shes been in there a while I let her swim back into the tank then I discard the water in the container. I do that every time I feed my fish so she can eat. It seems like a lot of work but she seems happy and definatly alive so I do it and am happy doing it. I hope this helps!

melissa801

I had 2 guppies that that happened to...it ended up being mouth fungus...the fungus grew inside the mouth which kept in from closing. The fish acted normal for a bit and then started hanging out at the water surface and then couldn't eat.

Johawk

So with the exception of Angelfish220, this has ended badly for everyone?

COBettaCouple

Daphnia or other soft floating food might be easier for that barb to eat. Hopefully, it's an injury that it will recover from, but it might be something only time will tell on.

Johawk

Well, it has been almost a month and the little lady is still alive and kicking, well swimming rather. She's even grown a bit. Doesn't seem to have affected her that much, so I'm not worried about it.

COBettaCouple

Funny how resiliant those little fish can be.