Oscar Mouth Stuck Open

[CichlidandGuppyLover]

I have an Oscar who's mouth is stuck open. I bought him last summer, so I think he's between 9 months and 1 year old. He always used to be able to close his mouth, until a few months ago. It started with him leaving his mouth open a little, but in the past week, it's open all the way. He's now unable to eat. The only things I could find said he could have something stuck, but I don't think he does. His gravel is very large, and I'm pretty sure I would notice if there was some stuck. The other possibility I've seen is mouth deformity. Everyone who said mouth deformity said that they could still eat, so I'm really not sure what could be wrong with him. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

 

[GaryE]

It could be a growth in the throat - a tumour or a large cyst. There is nothing you can really do in that case. Either it vanishes on its own with clean water and good maintenance, or it doesn't... sadly enough.

 

[CichlidandGuppyLover]

If it was a growth or tumor, how far down could it be? With his mouth so open like this, I can see straight down his throat and I haven't seen anything like that, unless it just isn't big enough for me to see yet.

 

[Ichthys]

What is it in with? It could be a dislocated jaw, from fighting?

 

[CichlidandGuppyLover]

He's in with another oscar of the same size, in a 150 gallon tank.

 

[Ichthys]

If it was a piece of gravel you’d see it. Not sure about a tumour. I guess you’d see that also if it was pushing the mouth open. I’d say a dislocated jaw is quite likely. Not much you can do about that.

 

[CichlidandGuppyLover]

If it is a dislocated jaw, is there any way to feed him? Right now, he can get the pellets in his mouth, but they just fall out. I really don't want him to starve

 

[Ichthys]

I’m not sure. Try something soft like a piece of white fish or a ‘prawn’ (the small ones).

 

[GaryE]

I hadn't considered a jaw. Unfortunately, it makes sense.

I have heard of people pushing the jaw back into place, but if it isn't done within 24 hours, the bone heals quickly and the damage is permanent. Even then, it tends to reoccur. If the jaw is broken, there's no chance.

You may find that the whole operation of the mouth and throat is wrecked, and the muscles for swallowing are affected. If that is the case, you will have to euthanize the poor fish. He/she lost a fight, if it is the jaw, and probably needs a new tank to live alone in if you do manage to get soft food in.

Sometimes, it rights itself, at least enough for the fish to survive. Technically, I suppose there could be swelling from the injury, and maybe if it eases, it could work better. There I'm guessing.

 

[CichlidandGuppyLover]

What would it look like if the muscles are affected? Also, would the prawns and white fish be live?

 

[Ichthys]

would the prawns and white fish be live?

No.

Unfortunately I have to agree with GaryE. Dislocated jaws usually mean the end. Sorry.

 

[GaryE]

Bear in mind that if the injury is permanent and he can eat to survive, the thawed cut up prawn or white fish food becomes a lifelong diet. He isn't going to be able to rasp/chew any pellets or really fibrous meat. By nature, he's a fish eater, so it is a healthy diet. But it's work.

Bamboo cooking skewers can be used to spear the food and bring it to him.

 

[Ichthys]

Large Oscars eat mainly small fish and floating insects, so ‘prawns’ and white fish are actually a good diet for them.

 

[GaryE]

Oscars are primarily insectivores.

Huh. I stand corrected from a long standing assumption. Thank you. It's not a fish I've ever considered keeping and I went with what I had read somewhere along the way.

 

[Ichthys]

Darn. I actually deleted that after checking with FishBase. They apparently eat more fish than I thought. I had always thought their main diet was floating insects. And I’ve kept them several times. They do like a fish or two if they can.