When my Melanurus Wrasse contracted lockjaw I spent a lot of time searching for cures online but all I found were articles about clown fish, feeding too much krill, or that it could be a temporary condition. I wanted to share my success with the community in hopes of helping others in a similar situation.
I've had uronema marinum in my tank since adding 1/2 dozen chromis ~4 years ago. Fortunately the couple times my fish started showing signs of infection feeding fish food mixed with Metronidazole always solved the problem. I don't think I ever read anything connecting lockjaw to uronema. But based on my successes in the past when my wrasse got lockjaw my 1st reaction was to try Metro. After a week with no positive results I stopped feeding the Metro. He was still eating and I hoped it was just a temporary condition.
When his breathing became more rapid and he stopped eating I knew I needed to try something else. I moved him to a 10 gallon hospital tank and dosed him with ~70 mg/gal of chloroquine phosphate. He spent most of the time buried in a small container of sand or in a pvc pipe for 6 or 7 days. During which time I noticed his jaw was back to normal. Finally after 8-10 days he started eating. I left him in for a couple more weeks at a dosage of 40-50 mg/gal and returned him to the display.
I'm not sure what caused the Lockjaw. But after about 8 months it returned. The CP was successful once again. I doubt I found the cure-all for lockjaw. But it may be something you want to consider.
I've had uronema marinum in my tank since adding 1/2 dozen chromis ~4 years ago. Fortunately the couple times my fish started showing signs of infection feeding fish food mixed with Metronidazole always solved the problem. I don't think I ever read anything connecting lockjaw to uronema. But based on my successes in the past when my wrasse got lockjaw my 1st reaction was to try Metro. After a week with no positive results I stopped feeding the Metro. He was still eating and I hoped it was just a temporary condition.
When his breathing became more rapid and he stopped eating I knew I needed to try something else. I moved him to a 10 gallon hospital tank and dosed him with ~70 mg/gal of chloroquine phosphate. He spent most of the time buried in a small container of sand or in a pvc pipe for 6 or 7 days. During which time I noticed his jaw was back to normal. Finally after 8-10 days he started eating. I left him in for a couple more weeks at a dosage of 40-50 mg/gal and returned him to the display.
I'm not sure what caused the Lockjaw. But after about 8 months it returned. The CP was successful once again. I doubt I found the cure-all for lockjaw. But it may be something you want to consider.