Help - neon tetra food stuck in mouth

[Rhianne]

I think one of my neon tetras has food stuck in its mouth. Been watching it for a few minutes and it doesn’t look as if it can close it’s mouth. I’ve only had then a week so they are tiny so been using micro granules

Do I attempt to get it out or should I wait to see if the situation resolves itself? Not sure whether I would do more harm than good trying to remove the food.

 

[Rhianne]

Tried to get a photo but they are too fast so this is the best I could get.

 

[Barry Tetra]

No that’s a neon tetra bump disease, it causes by water qualities

does it look something like these pictures?https://www.google.co.th/search?q=n...8ansAhW59XMBHTIlAAwQ_AUIFCgB&biw=1024&bih=665

 

[Rhianne]

There’s no growths on the fish or it’s mouth it just can’t close it’s mouth. I put a bit of food in and it was eating. Been looking at other articles and lots mention lock jaw.

 

[Shiverz]

A better picture will certainly help, I know it's difficult, as you said yourself they are just so quick. Though if we can clearly see it's mouth it helps alot.

If there is food stuck in it's mouth my opinion would be to let nature take it's course. I'd wager that the pellet would long become soft before the fish started to starve. The only thing I would worry about is how long the fish would be stuck in that position for. Though, I would definitely switch to a different food type, maybe feed them some tropical flake until they grow a little larger, as if a pellet can get stuck in one of their mouths, theres a chance they could get stuck in any of their mouths.

 

[Rhianne]

A better picture will certainly help, I know it's difficult, as you said yourself they are just so quick. Though if we can clearly see it's mouth it helps alot.

If there is food stuck in it's mouth my opinion would be to let nature take it's course. I'd wager that the pellet would long become soft before the fish started to starve. The only thing I would worry about is how long the fish would be stuck in that position for. Though, I would definitely switch to a different food type, maybe feed them some tropical flake until they grow a little larger, as if a pellet can get stuck in one of their mouths, theres a chance they could get stuck in any of their mouths.

I’ve got flakes now which I break up so easier to eat. The more I look, the less it looks as if there’s food stuck. It looks as if it can’t close it’s mouths. Tried to take some better pics.

 

[Rhianne]

Pics

 

[Shiverz]

Thank you for answering and giving us fresh pictures, they definitely help.

Have you noticed if the little guy is eating with his mouth like that?

Though I'm no expert, I'm guessing his jaw is either dislocated, or, like your own assessment he has lockjaw.

If it's a dislocated jaw, no amount of time or medicine will right it (obviously), you could attempt to put it back into position but with a fish that small and a jaw that delocate theres a high chance something will go wrong and you injure the fish. If it's lockjaw I presume it'll go away in time, though I cannot be certain.

 

[Retired Viking]

I have a shoal of neon tetras (27) and I have seen some at times with their mouths appearing to be locked open after feeding. I also lost one to choking on a larger piece of food (pellet) I take some tank water and mix it with my flake food after grinding the flakes to a smaller size and pour it in to feed the tetras. This helps stop them from swallowing air. Good luck

 

[itiwhetu]

Just out of interest what is the pH of your water