clown doesnt close his mouth

[cubsFAN]

Got an occ clown that does not close his mouth. He will eat and close his mouth, but it looks like it takes some effort. He seems pretty happy. Regular breathing it looks like. It looks like when ive had clowns with brook hold their mouth open, but there is not sign of it or ich. Any ideas? Ive had this fish for a couple years.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Does he fight with anyone? I have a gramma that would fight with another fish and his jaw would get stuck open. It closed after a day or two.

 

[cubsFAN]

Clown gets along with other tank mates. Bangaii and neon goby. Today his mouth is not as wide open and he looks much better. Weird. It's like he had lock jaw for a day. Hopefully all will be fully resolved by tomorrow.

 

[cubsFAN]

Clown gets along with other tank mates. Bangaii and neon goby. Today his mouth is not as wide open and he looks much better. Weird. It's like he had lock jaw for a day. Hopefully all will be fully resolved by tomorrow.

It's happening again. He was perfectly fine the day after my last post. Same thing as before. Happy as can be. No fighting in the tank. The other fish are unaffected. Water is sparkling and well oxygenated. My guess is he will be healthy in another couple days, but I'd like to know if anyone knows why this is happening. I'd like it to stop.

Could this come from him "nursing" on a hammer coral?

 

[Newsmyrna80]

I've never heard of that but it might be some sort of toxin affecting his mouth. Hopefully someone who has experienced this will chime in.

 

[cubsFAN]

He's eating fine and already starting to look better. If it happens I'll try to snap a pic. His mouth is half closed now so it doesnt show how extreme it is. It looks like his jaws are stretched as wide as theyll go. He could be making faces at me. He amuses me.

 

[snorvich]

Well, I have never seen this circumstance. If I were to guess, I would say it will fix itself. (Maybe he roots for the Sox?)