Help! Fire fish has frayed bottom lip!

[Fdalamo]

I noticed him wandering about the sandy substrate a little fatigued and out of it and that's when I noticed it. His lower jaw is frayed and a bit is missing! I don't know if it's the cause of any other occupants?

I have..

-Maroon clown
-Fire fish
-Blood Shrimp
-2 Peppermint shrimp
-2 hermit crabs
-few snails
-hundreds of amphipods

I was thinking the blood shrimp may have been the culprit, seeing as he's hunkering down in the little cave the fire fish had dug out and claimed when I first got him.

What do you all think?

I'll try to upload a picture here shortly.

 

[Fdalamo]

Could it also, maybe, been he had darted recklessly into one of his many caves and messed himself up?

What can I do..to help him?

 

[NanaReefer]

From the looks of his jaw I'd say something grabbed a hold of it. If he can't eat with it, sadly there's not much you can do.

 

[Fdalamo]

Thanks for the quick reply Nanareefer.

That's really sad and unfortunate. Is there a way to euthanize him that you'd recommend or should I just let nature take its course? :\

 

[Squishie89]

Have you gotten him to eat?

 

[dorky]

is there a way that you can catch it and put him in the qt. watch him closely if he able to eat then i would just leave him there watch him heal up or whatever may happen. reason i say qt so that no other fish like maroon clownfish or hermit crab can harass him or disrupt his healing processes or steal his food and good luck on his speedy recovery hope he live. keep us updated

 

[Fdalamo]

I got him to eat yesterday didnt seem too bothered but now it looks like it's really weighing on him. Ill try to feed again tomorrow.

 

[Squishie89]

I am sorry, I could not help it.

I would keep trying. Don't give up on him yet.

 

[Fdalamo]

Lol on point!

I'll let you all know what happens in the morning.

 

[Atg]

I would try feeding him a fine food so he doesn't have to move his jaw to much like a fry food or crushed flakes or pellets

 

[Fdalamo]

I did a check just now before bed and found his lifeless body being hauled around by the shrimps. Hes out of the tank now, how unfortunate.

Thanks for all the input. Guess the shrimps or hermit crabs got him..

On the bright side, he was still within 14 day guarantee (today being day 12). Dont think I'll get another bottom dweller though.

 

[Squishie89]

I am really sorry =(