Phinny12

My friend has 5 Large Shubunkins in 150 gallon tank.. there was a turtle in there untill Saturday when I went to his house with a 10 gallon tank and took him out, gave him a lamp and a sand bottom tank..he is happy now! One of the Shubunkins is swollen up but not pineconed, but his mouth is stuck open.. I got him into a bucket and looked in there to see if something was stuck in his mouth..but there wasn't.. I gave him a Epson salts bath and when I put him back he could open & close his mouth but for the most part it is still open most of the time and he is a bit less swollen. I did water change and told him to do another water change today...the water was filthy. But now one of the other shubunkins is staying near the bottom, fins clamped together ...not looking good. I noticed that one like that when I started on the tank so that did not happen as a result of the tank cleaning.
Please any advise will be greatly appreciated!
Thank You

Shawnie

could be anything..but some suggestions I have are a few water changes for ammonia, which with the turtle and goldies im sure its high...some prime will neutralize the ammonia for 24 hours until his next change....I would do this and test the water until it reads 0... and maybe a pebble is stuck somewhere in his mouth as they are notorious for putting them in their mouths to clean off any extra food....goodluck with mr turle and the shubs!

Phinny12

Thank You Shawnie! I have been reading quite a bit about this on the web and it does say that mouth open would indicate a piece of gravel in the mouth. Poor big ole guy!

Jess

How do you get a pebble out of a goldfish's mouth?? I see them suck on them all the time, and always wonder if they're going to spit them out again. Poor guy.

Phinny12

I am not sure .. I was hoping not to have to do that but if that's whats in there I am going to have to find a way to get it out... If I do I will post a message and tell everyone how.
Once I pulled a piece of Beefheart out of my betta's mouth when he was choking on it.. I could not believe I did that ..he was relieved for sure!

Shawnie

carefully net the lil guy keeping your hand under the net and in a shallow bit of water pick his head up to look in his mouth...and get a toothpick if the pebble is visable and carefully prod it out.....if not, dont go prodding down his throat just praying it comes out or passes would be the only other way unless you have a fish vet close by...

Phinny12

Shawnie,
If there is something in there and it is so far down I can't get it with a toothpick, will it eventually get swallowed and come out or will he choke.? Aparently he is able to open & close his mouth a bit now where as before his mouth was stuck completly open!

Shawnie

its a guessing game phinny..if hes doing better id leave him be...he can breath and get food or he would have passed by now so it must be either gone, or if its in his intestines he still could pass....keep an eye on him and as long as he isnt suffering , id leave him be

Phinny12

He has improved greatly.. I saw him last night.. I fed him a few peas which he really liked and his mouth opens and closes now.. his lips are fatter than the others Shubunkins & My friend has cleaned up the water.. I think he will be ok! Iwas really worried about him for a while!

Jess

Yay!!! That's great news. Was watching this post. Glad he's improved.

Phinny12

Thank You Jess!