apisto cacatoides

[sasikan]

hi i have male apisto cacatuoides with his mouth wide open all the time (it never closes) he eats well and seems healthy .has anyone seen this before?

 

[Mike Wise]

It has been reported on many occasions. The jaws lock in an open position. It rarely returns to normal. This makes it hard for the fish to eat and it slowly wastes away. As long as you know you fish is eating something, then let it be and hope for the best. If it starts to waste away, it would be best to humanely euthanize the fish.

 

[sasikan]

its been 2 weeks now and his mouth is still wide open (but he eats and seems to be in good shape) do you know what causes this?

 

[Mike Wise]

Cacatuoides-group species threaten with a wide open mouth. Sometime the mandible and maxilla lock in the open position. Sometimes the fish can gape a bit wider and 'unlock' the jaw, but it isn't common. People have tried to re-set the jaw physically, but more often than not it breaks the bones and the fish dies.

 

[leafish]

This is happening to mine. I'm having the worst luck.

 

[edwliang]

Cacatuoides-group species threaten with a wide open mouth. Sometime the mandible and maxilla lock in the open position. Sometimes the fish can gape a bit wider and 'unlock' the jaw, but it isn't common. People have tried to re-set the jaw physically, but more often than not it breaks the bones and the fish dies.

How to avoid this happen? I have seen apistos yawn pretty often. Is it normal?

 

[Mike Wise]

I don't think it is really common. I can think of it occurring in my tanks only once in the past approx. 40 years of keeping apistos. It appears more common here because we have so many apisto keepers. Think of it this way. Of all the posts about apisto problems, how many are about locked jaws? My guess is <1%. People tend to report problems, but don't say anything if things are going well.

 

[leafish]

When things start going well with any Apistos I'll be sure to report, ha! Right now all my other fish are doing well. Honestly, I think the batch I had to choose from at the store had been through hell already. I think I'm gonna order some from ApistoDave.

In the meantime, my Badis Assamenis are doing wonderfully!