Kribensis with lock-jaw

Question
Hi Ron,
I bought a pair of Cichlids Kribensis three weeks ago. Female and male. Seems like they were fighting and the female now has a sever case of lock jaw. I'm not sure if she has ate or not and I had to put her in a hospital tank because the male can't stop attacking her. What can I do for her?

Thanks,.
Valeria

Answer
Hi Valeria,
  First, can you see if there is anything stuck in her jaw?  Assuming not, then there are two possiblities. It could be that her jaw is broken and therefore cannot be fixed.  The other possibility is that it is dislocated.  Fish jaws are a complex series of bones that sometimes get out of alignment.   The solution is a bit tricky but it is worth a try. Basically, you have to VERY GENTLY open the jaw a little more and then hopefully the bones will fall back into alignment and it will shut.  

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
  Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>