Fish with splitting jaw!

[Elliott ll]

I just received a Yellow Longnose Butterflyfish from Liveaquaria.com that has a rather bad jaw issue. It looks like it's splitting/degrading. Has anyone seen this before? How can I treat this?

 

[Flameback Pair]

@Eusvolk93 I just read a thread in the Fish Disease Forum about isopod parasites. Fish expert Jay Hemdal said there’s a parasite that eats out the tongue of a fish then lives in the hole living off the fish.

 

[Elliott ll]

@Eusvolk93 I just read a thread in the Fish Disease Forum about isopod parasites. Fish expert Jay Hemdal said there’s a parasite that eats out the tongue of a fish then lives in the hole living off the fish.

Well thats rather gross... I don't believe this is an isopod parasite though because it looks more like the tip of the of the fishes mouth began to have issue first and its progressing/splitting from the tip and then in. Can fish injures like this heal on their own?

 

[chipchipbro]

@Jay Hemdal maybe you have ever seen or treatened that before?

 

[Elliott ll]

@Jay Hemdal maybe you have ever seen or treatened that before?

Here's a little closer of a shot @Jay Hemdal @4FordFamily

 

[vetteguy53081]

Looks like post injury. Could be from getting netted.

 

[Elliott ll]

Looks like post injury. Could be from getting netted.

I noticed it before taking him out of the bag, so maybe the person who bagged him wasn't kind. I do however see clear signs on his anal fin where he has been nipped at. After you said this I am thinking it is a battle injury... if so, whats my course of action? Can he live and/or heal?

 

[Soren]

I'd be contacting LiveAquaria about this issue to make sure they know it happened before it was in your care.
I don't know how bad this is, but I have heard of serious issues with butterflyfish with mouth injuries or diseases.

Some experienced users have been tagged here to help you with the best course of action.

#reefsquad @ReefSquad

 

[Elliott ll]

I'd be contacting LiveAquaria about this issue to make sure they know it happened before it was in your care.
I don't know how bad this is, but I have heard of serious issues with butterflyfish with mouth injuries or diseases.

Some experienced users have been tagged here to help you with the best course of action.

#reefsquad @ReefSquad

I contacted them and they have replied by saying if the fish dies they will provide me with a store credit that doesn't include shipping or boxing fee. So looks like regardless of results I will be out $50, plus have to reorder something and lose another $50 paying shipping and box fees again. So ideally I would love to save this guy for financial and humane purposes. Hopefully someone has some experience with mouth injuries. I am thinking maybe a Methylene Blue bath and Selecon antibiotics in food. I am a little worried about doing a Methylene Blue bath though as I may further damage him trying to catch.

 

[Soren]

I contacted them and they have replied by saying if the fish dies they will provide me with a store credit that doesn't include shipping or boxing fee. So looks like regardless of results I will be out $50, plus have to reorder something and lose another $50 paying shipping and box fees again. So ideally I would love to save this guy for financial and humane purposes. Hopefully someone has some experience with mouth injuries. I am thinking maybe a Methylene Blue bath and Selecon antibiotics in food. I am a little worried about doing a Methylene Blue bath though as I may further damage him trying to catch.

I agree that you should put forth the best effort possible to save the fish. It's too bad it was shipped like this or injured in shipment.
I don't know enough to help you with what to do to help the fish.

@Jay Hemdal should be able to offer good advice to how you should proceed.

 

[DrZoidburg]

Looks maybe injury could be a lot of how's to why it happened. If its in a qt why not dose the qt with antibiotics no need to catch it again. Also selcon is not antibiotics. What I personally would do is wait to see if any healing goes on and keep an eye out for infection. If it is easy enough to do some now as preventative, water change, and then wait until 2nd dose may be this be ok too.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I contacted them and they have replied by saying if the fish dies they will provide me with a store credit that doesn't include shipping or boxing fee. So looks like regardless of results I will be out $50, plus have to reorder something and lose another $50 paying shipping and box fees again. So ideally I would love to save this guy for financial and humane purposes. Hopefully someone has some experience with mouth injuries. I am thinking maybe a Methylene Blue bath and Selecon antibiotics in food. I am a little worried about doing a Methylene Blue bath though as I may further damage him trying to catch.

This sure looks like a net injury, and they are correct in covering that for you, but shipping is never covered…sigh.
My guess is the fish isn’t eating, correct? If not, it will be a race to see if the fish can heal from the injury before becoming too thin … and there is just know way to know. I would avoid additional handling, as you suspected, it will likely just add to the issue.
Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

I noticed it before taking him out of the bag, so maybe the person who bagged him wasn't kind. I do however see clear signs on his anal fin where he has been nipped at. After you said this I am thinking it is a battle injury... if so, whats my course of action? Can he live and/or heal?

One great thing about saltwater fish is their ability to heal and heal quickly. Keep an eye on it. Until healed, live preferably black worms will be the best enticer tio eat. Once eating, LRS fish frenzy, clam on 1/2 shell, masstik, small plankton will be good foods.

 

[Elliott ll]

This sure looks like a net injury, and they are correct in covering that for you, but shipping is never covered…sigh.
My guess is the fish isn’t eating, correct? If not, it will be a race to see if the fish can heal from the injury before becoming too thin … and there is just know way to know. I would avoid additional handling, as you suspected, it will likely just add to the issue.
Jay

Yeah that's what I'm thinking. Someone at Liveaquaria was rough it seems with him and probably sitting in the shipping bag didn't help. Do you think dosing QT with Kanaplex would help? The good thing... he's fat. But he is indeed not showing signs of eating. I will have to keep my fingers crossed and hope he can heal quickly :/

 

[DrZoidburg]

This maybe better to wait and see if all goes good before meds. Hopefully it does eat, and wont need anything else. Meds can suppress appetite. Kind of a crap shoot either way. Either it will not eat, or it could get infection. Trying live foods may help. Just keep a close eye on what is happening. Not all wounds will get infected.

 

[4FordFamily]

I see enough of an infection there I feel like that if it worsens I’d try some antibiotics. I’d also try live black worms if you can source them locally anywhere. Note: be careful only 1 or 2 at a time because they foul what’s tube water very quickly. Sometimes a clam on the half shell can entice as well, but same thing. Don’t leave it in there very long. Foul water will quickly spoil any chances you may have. Good luck!

 

[Elliott ll]

I see enough of an infection there I feel like that if it worsens I’d try some antibiotics. I’d also try live black worms if you can source them locally anywhere. Note: be careful only 1 or 2 at a time because they foul what’s tube water very quickly. Sometimes a clam on the half shell can entice as well, but same thing. Don’t leave it in there very long. Foul water will quickly spoil any chances you may have. Good luck!

I'm going to my LFS today to get some water and will check their Live Foods. Going to do a WC just to keep water quality top notch for him. I think I will dose the water column with Kanaplex to combat bacterial infections and keep extra water on hand in case of a bacterial bloom. I haven't seen any progression of the injury yet, but I also have not witnessed any eating. Fingers crossed live food helps. He has a lot of personality though and isn't shy... Going to do everything I can to save him as he'd be wonderful for my tank.

 

[4FordFamily]

I'm going to my LFS today to get some water and will check their Live Foods. Going to do a WC just to keep water quality top notch for him. I think I will dose the water column with Kanaplex to combat bacterial infections and keep extra water on hand in case of a bacterial bloom. I haven't seen any progression of the injury yet, but I also have not witnessed any eating. Fingers crossed live food helps. He has a lot of personality though and isn't shy... Going to do everything I can to save him as he'd be wonderful for my tank.

In my experience, Longnose Butterfly are not quite as fragile as some others, but I'd not describe them as particularly hardy. However, eating is literally half the battle for recovery! Good luck!

 

[Karen00]

I have nothing to offer as to treatment but just wanted to say I'm so sorry you had your fish arrive like this. Very sad for you and obviously the poor fish! I'm sure you will get the best help here. He sure is a beauty and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of you!

 

[Elliott ll]

I have nothing to offer as to treatment but just wanted to say I'm so sorry you had your fish arrive like this. Very sad for you and obviously the poor fish! I'm sure you will get the best help here. He sure is a beauty and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for both of you!

Thank you. He is truly a magnificent fish. I am thinking close to 5" as well (ordered a 3" tho). He likes to swim upside down for fun and seems pretty happy and energetic. Has a decent size belly on him so hoping this gives him the time needed to heal. I will keep everyone updated on the progress! I did decide to go forward with Kanaplex to help fight infection.