Funny lips

emzg07 · Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject: Funny lips

My red zebra's mouth is looking weird. His lips are puffy and he kind of looks swollen. Any idea what might be wrong?
~Emmie

ceveretts · Posted: Sat May 01, 2004 5:48 pm Post subject:

Besides being puffy, do the lips have any other symptoms? Are the becoming whitish or cotton-like? Is it acting "normal" and doing its usual routines? Is it eating, does the fish seem the same colour as usual? I need some more info to better help you. A little aquarium salt (not iodized) helps many mild ailments and many aquarists have a little of it in their freshwater tanks at all times like when adding new fish or doing water changes. Also what are the parameters on your water like, such as Ammonia, nitrite, etc?

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

what fishes are in the tank, what is the size of the tank, any previous symptoms?

emzg07 · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 3:42 pm Post subject:

He is in a 55 gal tank with 2 other cichlids and 2 rope fish. He is usually the bully in the tank but for the past few days he has been kind of calm and hasn't been eating. I have already added some salt and the ph and everything else looks normal. His coloration is just as bright as ever... no white spots or anything.

t_chelle16 · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 3437

Maybe he was lip locking with one of the other fish and it's just bruised.

It still might not be a bad idea to treat for flexibacter/mouth rot with Maracyn.

-Chelle

Auspetian · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:35 pm Post subject:

Just a thought. Silenced

She might (emphasis on might) be carrying eggs in her mouth. Their lips may look very puffy and weird when they do.

Red Zebras are mouth brooders, meaning the female holds the eggs after spawning, in her mouth. She may hold them for up to 3-4 weeks before releasing them from her mouth. The females do not eat for this period, and can become extremely weak and vulnerable.

Auspetian · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 5:59 pm Post subject:

Heres a few pictures of a red zebra female incubating her eggs.
Doe's your zebra look like that Question

Not a red zebra - some other type of cichlid incubating

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

Auspetian is right, some fishes do incubate eggs in their mouths. it may look asif they were punched right in the mouth. keep a close eye on them and see what happens over the next few weeks

emzg07 · Posted: Sun May 02, 2004 10:01 pm Post subject:

Yeah I was thinking that might be the case.. but when and how will I know for sure? And what should I do if she does have babies in her mouth? Would it be best to leave her in the tank or move her into a seperate tank by herself until the babies come out? I'd hate for them to become a snack Neutral

OneWolvesDream · Super Senior Member Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 1175

maybe ask a vet, you cant trust everyone, otherwise go get another tank and seperate it ot now but make sure there is little to none stress

t_chelle16 · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 3437

I just re-read your post and noticed that you said "he" hasn't been eating so "he" could very well be holding.

It it actually the lips that loos swollen or the throat?

I have pics of a few of my fish when they're holding & when they're not holding. Unfortunately my web server is offline right now but I'll see if I can find another place to host them so I can post them here.

-Chelle

t_chelle16 · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 3437

Here's the pics:

See how when they're not holding their throat is even with the bottom of their gill plates? But when they're holding it sticks out below the gill plate.

-Chelle

J_acon · Member Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 115 Location: Melbourne

Hope your fish is just holding, that would be great.

Just wondering, if your fish is holding, how do you move it to another tank? Do you just grap a net and take her out or do u do something different?

Auspetian · Posted: Mon May 03, 2004 4:27 am Post subject:

I would not worry about moving her at that stage. Red zebra’s (as well as most cichlids) are known to be a great protectors of their young and can take care of them in even crowded tanks. 80% of fry should survive, mum and dad will protect them furiously.

No need to move her. Just make sure you have enough rocks/caves and hiding places and they should do just fine. Keep an eye on her and let us know.

P.S.
Incubation takes approx 3-4 weeks. Doe's your fish looks anything like the pictures we posted?

J_acon · Member Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 115 Location: Melbourne

I don't have cichlids at the moment, but really interested in them specially after seeing the fry group from Chelle Very Happy