Please help quickly

[mandapanda]

Hi! I'm a new member to this forum, though i will stay around. I'm relatively new to aquarium keeping.
My problem is a Firemouth Chiclid that i recently bought. It's about four inches long andin good health. At least, was.
When i went to check on him (he lives with another, smaller firemouth and a plec.) i noticed him layed on his side on a plant. When i looked it him, i think his bottom lip has gotten torn halfway off. He seems to be in major discomfort.

So my questions are: Did another fish do this? Will he live? And what can i do for him?

Please, ANY insight would be helpful. I'm almost near tears...i hate things dying and i've grown very attached.

~Amanda

[fish_doc]

First off welcome,

Did another fish do this?
It is very possible many fish fight for territory by "kissing" to show their strengh, but there could be other issues that caused it. Do you have a heater he might have sucked on or sharp rocks in the tank. Cichlids are also earthmovers and if he grabbed a sharp stone it may have caused damage.

Will he live?
If you treat the tank with a general antibiotic to avoid any secondary infections there is a very good chance he will pull through. Just be sure to figure out what caused the origional injury and eliminate it from happining again.

And what can i do for him?
If you have a isolation or medical tank place him in there to give him some quiet until he is better.

[FISHFACE]

Is that all the occupants of your tank? You've been given sound advice. I use Melafix for almost everything.