Jack Dempsey Open Mouth

Question
My 9" Jack Dempsey has had an open mouth for almost a weeks now and is having a very difficult time eating. He does not pick up rocks in his mouth often and I do not see any rocks in his mouth. He does have some new black marks on his lower lip.   Does this sound like a bacterial infection? If so, how do I treat this? Also, I have one other cichlid in the tank who appears healthy. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Lynette,
 Is it possible that the two fish were fighting?

 You said the mouth is open, but does it look to be opened "extra wide", i.e. does it look like it is stuck open?
Does it ever close at all?

-- Ron
  rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
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