Mystery Disease/Parasite (Lockjaw?)

[Chasmodes]

Hi everyone.

This fish is in a tank where another fish died of the same thing. It was fine when added to the tank, but a while later started acting like this. The fish that died of this was a sea robin. Basically, something is causing the Fish’s mouth to seemingly be locked open in a permanent position. The sea robin lived almost a year like this and ate until the very end, had a good appetite really. This fish has only been sick a few weeks like this and does not eat.

Also, this tank and fish were treated with fish lice, but there don't seem to be any of them on the fish in the tank at the moment. This fish currently lives with another sea robin, toadfish, and three hogchokers. Does anyone know of a particular disease or parasite that causes this, and even better, know a treatment or cure? I could not find anything on the internet resembling these symptoms. Thank you, and also, the Glen Echo Park Aquarium thanks you as well.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I pulled this from the disease forum.

 

[Chasmodes]

Thank you TriggerFinger. There are no anemones or corals in this tank, fish only. Do you know of anything else that might cause this? Could it happen if the fish bites a hard object and cause a physical break in the jaw, perhaps?

 

[Big G]

Lots of interesting theories about what causes this condition. Some think vitamin deficiency, poor water conditions, and or parasites, other than the usual fighting/biting injury.

Here's an interesting thread that infers parasites as the cause: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chloroquine-phosphate-for-lockjaw.352838/

 

[TriggerFinger]

Hey @Chasmodes
Some toadfish are venomous. Do you know the specific kind in the tank with the puffer? Is it possible he tried to eat/bite the toadfish??
Also, Big G (one of the experts) has provided a link where CP was successfully used on a wrasse two different times and the lockjaw was healed. Any chance glen echo has CP? May want to check on a puffer being sensitive or not to medication also. I have no puffer experience unfortunately.

 

[Chasmodes]

Lots of interesting theories about what causes this condition. Some think vitamin deficiency, poor water conditions, and or parasites, other than the usual fighting/biting injury.

Here's an interesting thread that infers parasites as the cause: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chloroquine-phosphate-for-lockjaw.352838/

Thank you Gary. Definitely worth investigating. Nick is going to try force feeding the puffer with food and added vitamins also, since that may also be a cause.

 

[Chasmodes]

Hey @Chasmodes
Some toadfish are venomous. Do you know the specific kind in the tank with the puffer? Is it possible he tried to eat/bite the toadfish??
Also, Big G (one of the experts) has provided a link where CP was successfully used on a wrasse two different times and the lockjaw was healed. Any chance glen echo has CP? May want to check on a puffer being sensitive or not to medication also. I have no puffer experience unfortunately.

I don't know if they have CP, but I'll let Nick know about that option.

The toadfish is the Oyster Toadfish, Opsanus tau. It has sharp spines as a defense, but not known as toxic as far as I can tell. However, that type of physical injury could also be a suspicious cause, I suspect. it's too big to eat, but who knows, maybe just a dispute.

 

[TriggerFinger]

I had to look up this toadfish. Wikipedia says they have a venomous spine on the first dorsal fin. Since the toadfish camouflage so well, maybe the puffer just thought it was part of the rock work and decided to taste test it? I’m grasping at straws really. Please post what is and is not helpful for your fish so the information is there for future use. I really hope your puffer pulls through!