Panther Grouper seems hurt!

stormy

stormy

New Member
Hi, I have a panther grouper who has been doing great until recently. He is about 8 inches long and the other day for a treat I threw in some rosies for him, he does love them. Well the rosies went in and he came out from reef at top speed and when he grabbed on he smashed his face into the glass. So hard that with my back turned I heard it. He ate the rosie and went back into the reefs. I thought all was fine until later in the day I noticed his mouth hanging wide open and has been ever since. He can't close his jaw now. Just yesterday I threw in a rosie and nothing, he just stayed put. I am afraid he might of disclocated his jaw or worse broke it!! Is there anything I can do for him? He swims around seems to be ok except for him not being able to close his mouth. I feel so bad for him! As far I can see, he has not eaten since then and I am afraid he will starve to death. Can anyone give me an idea of what to do for him?? Thanks!
 
stormy

stormy

New Member
For now he is in a 55 gallon tank and water condition is great. Just tested again and everything is fine! I offered him food again and he ignores it. (sigh)
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
Two things I notice:
-A 55 gallon is WAY too small for a fish that reaches 20 inches in length.
-Rosie red feederfish will cause the death of saltwater fish because it causes fatty liver disease
It is very possible that he hurt his mouth when he bumped into the glass. I would give it some time and pick up some more nutritious food such as krill, squidd, silversides, prawn, etc.
 
8mlawrence

8mlawrence

New Member
Hello, i feel do bad for your panther. I had one pass away. He grew up with a bent neck and ate great till the end. Im not sure about what to do about broke jaw though. doesnt sound healable and then be able to eat againable though.
 
stormy

stormy

New Member
Just wanted to say its only the grouper in the tank and I have only about 10lbs of rocks in there. Once my 250 tank is ready he will be moved. Geez didn't want all you to think I would keep a panther grouper in a 55 tank forever. Also I don't make it a habit to feed him rosies, this is only the 3rd time I have given him some in about 6 months. Otherwise he gets krill, bloodworms, ghost shrimp and silversides. If I had only known he would of came flying out the way he did I would of never put a rosie in. (sigh) He is still the same, jaw wide open and from the looks of it not eating. Someone suggested to me to net him and try to close his jaws and I don't know that really don't sound like a good idea to me. Just hoping for the best for now, thanks for your replies!
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Yep, the whole shooting across the tank and dislocating his jaw is one (only one) of the danger's of having too small a tank for a fast swimming fish...
Heck, my Panther will shoot across a 6' tank in no time flat and try to take my fingers off if I'm not carefull....
Far as the open mouth..."Occasionally" mine will "yawn" and strech his gills but usually only for a short period...
If your's continues with the open mouth and not feeding for a couple days, you may have no choice but to try to catch and relocate his jaw...
May not work, and you will probably stress him worse chaseing him around the tank... but it's a last ditch attempt to save him from starving to death...
If it works...seriously concider getting the bigger tank NOW....
 
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