regeneration

[scarf_ace1981]

I bought a YWG last week and he was acting kind of weird. Always @ the water's surface. He even vetured too close to the powerhead several times and almost got chompped up. I thought he was a gonner. Thankfully he's found a hide out under a rock where my pistol hangs out. Upon closer inspection i noticed he's missing the flesh on his bottom lip.

Are they able to regenerate flesh in that area? I know that fins can grow back but what about the flesh? You can even see the little bones of what are his lower jaw.

He's eating normally.

 

[KathyC]

Ouch!

Could it have happened in the tank Jon?

I would imagine that flesh would grow back. I'd keep an eye out for a possible infection. Great that he is eating, a definite positive.

Crossing fingers for ya!

 

[Awibrandy]

Ditto to what Kat said!

Best wishes for the little guy!!

 

[SevTT]

I've seen fish with lip damage heal pretty well. So long as the bone/cartilige (yeah, I know I spelt it wrong) isn't damaged, it will probably heal back as if nothing happened. Even if it doesn't, since the fish is eating OK, it probably won't cause any problems other than aesthetic ones. Just keep an eye out for infections or if the fish keeps doing something that's damaging that area.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

i'm still trying to figure out what happened. either the hermits or my cleaner shrimp started to eat him when he was stressed or maybe he fought with another fish.... i'll never know.

i hope he regenerates the flesh because it looks pretty kreepy. he's eating fine and i don't think it will become infected. there aren't any pieces hanging off or red looking areas.

the bone structure is still there. let's hope for the best