shell stuck in mouth

[NancyC]

I have a Hawaiian cleaner wrasse that has a piece of shell stuck in his mouth. It happened yesterday while being fed and it is still there today. Catching him isn't an option. Anyone have any suggestions that might be helpful? I'm afraid if he can't dislodge it himself he's going to just slowly starve to death

 

[myerst2]

Unfortunately your cleaner wrasse would of likely starved w/o the shell in it's mouth. Try to trap the fish if you can. T

 

[NancyC]

Unfortunately your cleaner wrasse would of likely starved w/o the shell in it's mouth. Try to trap the fish if you can. T

Why do you think that?

 

[curlykid]

well, if you have been soaking with vitamins and amino acids then he wouldn't starve. They may be obligate feeders, but the excess vitamins we provide make up for the missing part of their diet: parasites.

 

[myerst2]

Parasites are not the main diet. These cleaners eat more dead skin than anything else. T

 

[costellow]

I wouldn't try to catch him and remove the shell, the stress of that would likely kill him.
You're just going to have to hope he can remove it himself.

 

[LisaD]

Originally Posted by myerst2
Unfortunately your cleaner wrasse would of likely starved w/o the shell in it's mouth. Try to trap the fish if you can. T

Why do you think that?

Many people feel cleaner wrasses are one of those fish best left in the ocean, because they have a dismal survival record in captivity, and appear to starve to death.