Clownfish can't close its mouth?

[savetheocean]

One of my clownfish can't close its mouth. I think it might be an injury, they have been fighting a lot recently (Like all the time). It also can't eat any food.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Distended mouth (lock jaw) possibly. Unfortunately theres nothing you can do, it may correct itself, but theres also a chance that it may not

 

[EmdeReef]

Agree could be lockjaw and also a few other things. I’d remove the fish and put in a QT. You can add some epsom salt and wait and see. If you see any signs of infection should treat with ABX.

 

[savetheocean]

Can I just separate him from the other one? Im currently moving and just don't have the space or time to setup a qt.

 

[EmdeReef]

Yes you should separate them. Good luck!

 

[savetheocean]

Yes you should separate them. Good luck!

I already did, but they are still in the same tank. Is that okay?

 

[EmdeReef]

Did you put one in an acclimation box or>? Important to prevent further aggression, hopefully it heals on its own but keep in mind that you still may have to treat.

 

[savetheocean]

Did you put one in an acclimation box or>? Important to prevent further aggression, hopefully it heals on its own but keep in mind that you still may have to treat.

I drilled holes in a food container and put him in there. If it doesn't get any better, ill find another tank and treat him.

 

[Captain Quint]

I am sorry and I do see the injury to its mouth. It is hyperextension.

There could be one or more reasons for the clownfish to have its mouth in this position.

*If the area is irritated from parasitic attack, the fish may find it uncomfortable to close its mouth but in this case, I would imagine due to fighting.

There is a high probability the physical damage (injury) to the mouth area is because it engaged in a fight.
I am so sorry to read and see of this savetheocean.

An injury will cause swelling and when/if the swelling goes down the mouth will return to normal.

*With jaw hyperextension, there are two ways forward
1. do nothing and hope it returns to normal in a few days.
2. Anesthetize the fish and manipulate the urohyal bone which has jammed but the average hobbyist has no means to do so, unfortunately.

If the fish is having difficulty in breathing, it could die from the condition.

Unfortunately, certain cases of jaw hyperextension can also place the gills into a position where they will not operate normally causing respiratory stress (rapid breathing), that will lead to death.

There are a 50/50% chance things will go back to normal providing the clown will start eating and getting the proper and best nutrition and recover.

Most remaining cases, the fish is helped by manipulating the urohyal bone but can kill the poor thing.

I hope all returns to normal. And I apologize that you and the fish are going through this and hope it goes back into a state of relaxation.

 

[savetheocean]

I am sorry and I do see the injury to its mouth. It is hyperextension.

There could be one or more reasons for the clownfish to have its mouth in this position.

*If the area is irritated from parasitic attack, the fish may find it uncomfortable to close its mouth but in this case, I would imagine due to fighting.

There is a high probability the physical damage (injury) to the mouth area is because it engaged in a fight.
I am so sorry to read and see of this savetheocean.

An injury will cause swelling and when/if the swelling goes down the mouth will return to normal.

*With jaw hyperextension, there are two ways forward
1. do nothing and hope it returns to normal in a few days.
2. Anesthetize the fish and manipulate the urohyal bone which has jammed but the average hobbyist has no means to do so, unfortunately.

If the fish is having difficulty in breathing, it could die from the condition.

Unfortunately, certain cases of jaw hyperextension can also place the gills into a position where they will not operate normally causing respiratory stress (rapid breathing), that will lead to death.

There are a 50/50% chance things will go back to normal providing the clown will start eating and getting the proper and best nutrition and recover.

Most remaining cases, the fish is helped by manipulating the urohyal bone but can kill the poor thing.

I hope all returns to normal. And I apologize that you and the fish are going through this and hope it goes back into a state of relaxation.

Thank you. Hopefully he will be okay.

 

[Captain Quint]

Thank you. Hopefully he will be okay.

I hated to be the messenger but you needed to know. And hopefully, your baby can get into a place where it will relax on its own. As long as he/she is not breathing rapidly it can relax a little at a time until full closing
which is my hopes for you and the fish.

 

[savetheocean]

I swear its mouth closed slightly over the night. I hope I'm not just seeing things.

 

[Captain Quint]

I swear its mouth closed slightly over the night. I hope I'm not just seeing things.

Fingers crossed for both of you!

 

[savetheocean]

Fingers crossed for both of you!

He’s eating. I think he’s going to be okay!

 

[Stigigemla]

When I began rearing Banggai Cardinals they often had locked jaws at 5 weeks age. It was easy to cure. I just held the fish carefully between two fingers and pressed the tip of a needle sidewards between the upper and lower jaw. And click the mouth closed. A bit tricky to do with a fish of 3/4 inch but a clown of 2 inches should be much easier.
I guess I have done it on about 15 fry and didnt lose one.
But then I began with a little frozen cyclops after 2 weeks and decreased the live artemia stepwise and the problem was gone.

 

[Bishop87]

He’s eating. I think he’s going to be okay!

 

[Bishop87]

Hello all, reading this old thread. My clown is having the same issues. Not from fight as he’s part of the mated pair. I will just wait and see. Perhaps a fresh water dip if I can catch him.