Mouth rotting? Please Help!

[Aux]

Hi Guys

Tank: Std 2 foot, ph: 7.8 Ammonia: 0 Nitrites: 0 Nitrates: 7

I've got a Meleagris (Pearly Occellatus) pair that I've had for some time - I noticed about a week ago that it looked like a v-shaped chunk had been taken from the middle of the male's lower lip.

There was no colour change or anything with it at the time, i thought he had probably hit it on one of the shells in the tank which have thin sharpish edges.

Looking in there today now, more of the lower lip is now gone, and it's discoloured, kindof brown-ish, looks like he's grinded it on something as it looks rough. Hopefully it's clear in the pics.

He's definitely acting different today now, the fry around him I think are picking at it aswell which means hes hanging around up top near the rocks which he never does - still eats though.

Any ideas on what it is or any help would be greatly appreciated!

[rowie]

i'd treat him for fungus as it looks like he has had a chunk ripped off his lip and it isn't healing properly the fungus cure will just keep fungus from attaching itself while he is healing

i had a caudo punc that had its entire bottom jaw ripped off and it didn't bother him he kept breeding

hope this helps mate

[Ged]

Use something like Melafix or Pimafix or use in combination.

What other fish do you have in the tank?

[Aux]

Thanks for your help guys After taking another look it seems as though he might have some white furry stuff on him too - you can kindof see a spot of it in the second pic. I had some Protozin there for a rainy day and started dosing it last night, I hope this helps to clear it as I wont be able to get anywhere to get some Mela or Pima fix for a few days.

Only ones in the tank are the parents with some fry - some a month-ish old, some a few weeks and some about to pop. No other fish are showing any signs of illness at all though. Have you used Protozin before?

[Ged]

Protozin should the do the job.

Your description points to a fungal infection.

[rowie]

definately fungus this happens when they get injured and start to heal

as ged said protozin should do the job

hope he comes good for you

[Aux]

Cool. From what I can see it does look clearer now, poor bugger.

Do you think it's possible that the Fry had picked at his lip and done this? It'd be the first time I've heard of it happening, but they do seem to have a go when he's at his shell to the point he hangs around up in the rock and doesnt come down (except to sleep). Weird behaviour if thats the case!