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I have had my EY for over 2 years and it is my favorite fish that I ever owned. Yesterday when i fed him i noticed his mouth was swollen almost like it was stuffed with food, and he wouldnt eat. Same thing today. He is also spending most of his time in his cave. He usually eats like a pig and goes crazy when i go near the tank because he knows food is coming, but not the last 2 days. Does anyone know what is wrong?? I have him in a 20 gallon long tank with only an algae eater. He has been a happy fish up until now, always swimming around and playing with the current from the filter. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

Hey
It maybe they early signs of cooton mouth maybe! But kepp a realy close eye on him if you want more advise then get someone to move this to the malawi forum.
good luck hope he does'nt die

Not easy to diagnose...

Most swollen mouth areas come from an attack from another fish but it could be a mouth tumor.

Hiding is a protective maneuver that fish incorporate to protect a damaged area, in this case its mouth.

Fish cannot determine between a damaged mouth and a diseased mouth so the hiding tactic is the same.

A fish that will not eat will die so you can try a combination of Melafix and Tetracycline dosed according to product directions.

Melafix alone will do nothing.

It may be a good idea to remove the Algae Eater just in case he's determined that the Electric has all of a sudden become his enemy.

--garyroland.

Further responses can be made here:

http://fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/thread.asp?id=43026