Why can't my flowerhorn fish close its mouth with a swollen cheek?

eIf you can, look in the mouth for foreign bodies (gravel, food, etc), tumor or any redness, swelling or discharge. You should also check water chemistry. If ammonia or nitrites are elevated, perform daily partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and maintain water quality. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. Goldfish do best in cooler waters, between 65F and 72F. Trauma is also a possibility. A fractured or dislocated jaw can be the result of hitting the glass or tank furniture or from bullying. Swelling from infection is also a possibility. Monitor for redness, bruising, lethargy or loss of appetite. A broad spectrum antibiotic can be used if necessary. Find one, such as maracyn or kanaplex, in the aquarium section of the local pet or fish store. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Maintaining adequate water quality and parameters will aid in any healing. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used as a general tonic. It will reduce stress, improve gill function, aid in recovery and may help treat minor infection. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days. When performing water changes, treat only the amount of water being replaced with salt, not the entire tank volume.

Thanks for reaching out about Rhino. An infection is likely, but first check water quality parameters such as pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Correct any abnormalities. Infections around the mouth can be caused by multiple bacteria, but Edwardiella caused a disease called enteric red mouth. Laying on the bottom probably indicates the infection has spread to the swim bladder, causing it to fill with pus or fluid. Systemic antibiotics are needed. Antibiotics added to the water will probably do nothing. A veterinary visit is recommended to help with diagnosis and a treatment plan. Good luck.

Thanks for your question about Bubbles, and I’m sorry that this is happening to both of you. I was unable to get the photo to zoom in enough to see what is occurring in the mouth, but I would suggest having him evaluated by a veterinarian. Fish can get foreign materials stuck in their moths (items such as rocks or other materials), and can also get growths in them. A veterinarian can evaluate for both of these, and take action to correct it. Depending on what they find, it may be a simple fix, or he may need a surgical procedure potentially. You can find fish bets in your area using the AAFV website. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for reaching out about Tennessee and including photos. If he can not open his mouth, he needs to see a veterinarian, the sooner the better. Concerns are an oral obstruction, fractured mandible or other problems. Check and correct water quality as pristine water parameters will be needed after a veterinary visit. Good luck.

Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and daily partial water changes. That is the foundation for recovery. Drop the water temp gradually to about 75-76 F. The organism responsible for the infection thrives at temps in the low to mid 80s F. Use a broad spectrum antibiotic containing metronidazole. A Maracyn/Maracyn 2 combo may also help. Choose one treatment or the other. Find these products in the Aquarium section of the local pet store. Follow the label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment. Add an air stone or to to increase oxygenation.

Thanks for reaching out about your Oscar and including photos, but difficult to see the HLLE lesions due to too dark. The eye looks terrible and systemic antibiotics are recommended at the least. A veterinary visit is highly recommended to clean the wound and provide other possible treatments. The water quality must be kept pristine (pH, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates) to assist recovery. Antibiotics added to the water do not penetrate into the body, nor do fresh water fish drink, since osmotically water enters over mucous membranes (gills, mouth, skin) and antibiotics do not cross this barrier. HLLE causes can be multi-factorial including water quality, bacteria, parasites, carbon particles in activated charcoal (filters), low vitamin C, etc. Check and correct water quality, replace existing food if older than two months (vitamin C degrades quickly), see a veterinarian with fish experience. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about your parrot cichlid. Melanin pigment (black) is an immune response in fish, indicating an infection or inflammation. Whether this started as n infection, trauma or other, is unknown. A veterinary visit with an experienced aquatic veterinarian, should be able to establish a diagnosis and treatment plan. Always check and correct water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates). Good luck.