faceless bloodfin: a beginner's plight

[Mephistopheles]

please help me. I'm brand new to this whole fish thing (just started my tank in July). All the fish I've got so far have been doing fine. This includes 2 platy's (Porkpie and Jaque) and a small spotted catfish (Fluff). Those fish have been there for about a month with no problems. However, I just recently bought 4 bloodfin tetra (my pet store recomended 4, but then again i'm an easy sell). Unfortunately for one of them, after bout half a week, he seems to have lost his lower jaw! I don't know exactly what happened to it. Is he sick, was it an attack, did he get stuck? He's still swimming but I haven't seen him eat and he stopped schooling with the other three. My ammonia and chlorine levels are fine but my pH is a bit high. Anyone ever heard of this or can shed light on my plight? thanks for helping a beginner in need

[Neuve]

Im so sorry to hear that.

I would go for the gettin stuck (maybe on a [acronym:a9e51657bf="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:a9e51657bf]) It happened once to my spotted cory but hes aight now. You could try moving him to another tank (ive got 1 for QT and hospital) and/or adding some Melafix. If he lost his jaw it could be due to that or a fight tho I've goss 4 of em too and they do fine, theres some tag-playing but no nibbling or so... Personally I dont think **** grow another jaw back so you should try (depending on what youre feeding) crushing the flakes or the food to little tiny pieces so he can swallow em without having to grind it.
Keep a close watch on [acronym:a9e51657bf="Nitrites"]ites[/acronym:a9e51657bf] and ammonia levels coz that could make the wound get irritated and stuff so be careful on that.

That's what i'd do
I hope some of the REAL experts jump in here and help you out.
Good luck

Pato

[Capt.Gorilla]

I stated this in another thread but if you have a [acronym:be11d47938="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:be11d47938] filter and are worried about fish getting stuck in it, get a Very aerated sponge (big holes) like the ones used in Aquaclear filters and stick it around the nozzle of the filter.
Cut it to fit and attach, most waste will sloose through but your fishy friends won't.

[Mephistopheles]

Thanks Captain. I'll try that. (thanks to you too nueve). I'm kinda suprised now though cuz he seems to be doing pretty well after a day or two of not having a jaw. His color is bright as the rest of em and he's schooling with em again. I still haven't seen him eat though. I really hope he makes it

[Mephistopheles]

Bad news for anyone who cares. He's dead . Just when I thought he was gonna pull through too.

[Capt.Gorilla]

That sucks, well at least you can make sure it won't happen agian...

[Neuve]

yep. Check out the [acronym:da6507c38d="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:da6507c38d] filter tip from capt. and dont worry, we know you tried doing everything right

[Mephistopheles]

I don't know what's up anymore. Another one of my bloodfin's is losing his face. It's progressive now i've noticed. About the time the first one died, I noticed a little wound (like a pinprick) on the nose of another. Immiediately, my heart dropped. And now, just as Ihad feared, he has lost most of his nose and lower jaw, I fear it's only a matter of time. I cushioned the [acronym:ffdb2eae9d="Hang On Back"]HOB[/acronym:ffdb2eae9d] as suggested, but i'm not sure that was it (it's a good idea none the less I think). I'm thinking maybe it's an aggressive fish, but i don[t know whichi it would be (to recap, i have 3 bloodfin - one now withouta face, 2 platys and a little spotted catfish). I don't mean to bug you guys bout the same thing all the time but it's really distressing to see my first fish swimming around without faces, especially knowing they probably won't make it, and I don't know what's causing it.

[Allivymar]

Ok, I think I can definitively say the issue here is NOT the filter.

I don't know exactly what it could be, but my guess is its a virulent bacterial infection like columnaris. I would start treating the tank with a broad spectrum antibiotic [acronym:32f5bfac8e="As soon as possible"]ASAP[/acronym:32f5bfac8e]. Maybe Maracyn and Maracyn2 or Kanacyn. I could be wrong, but I don't think its viral and with the observation of the wound I don't think the tankmates are causing it either. Do keep in mind antibiotics will most likely muck up your nitrifying bacterial colonies, but I don't think you have a choice. Also, what are the water parameters?

I have to say the chances of the next faceless bloodfin's chances are pretty slim; without those face parts he can't eat and I don't know if it will heal before he starves. You may want to consider euthanising him before he starts to really suffer; if you want info on humane ways let me know and I'll get you the website.

Oh, and you are SO not bugging us; its what were here for

[vega]

This might be hole in the head diease? But i nver heard tetra with this diease...