CLownfish with gaping mouth (Video Attached)

[Egkid]

Hi guys, my female clown that I've had for 8 years now isn't doing so well. Her mouth seems to be stuck open and she hasn't been able to eat for the past 11 days or so. I was hoping it would go away on it's own but now I'm starting to get worried. She also seems to be breathing heavy but it's hard to tell I've attached two videos to show her symptoms. About a week prior to her showing these symptoms I did feed the tank a small amount of chopped up frozen shrimp from the supermarket which I've never done before. All other fish are doing fine and it's just her showing any issues. No fish or corals have been added to the tank in the past 3 months.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dr3QoCdoaOQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZmWDltgG4RA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Triggerfish]

found this:

"Anemonefishes do suffer from a condition -- a sort of reverse 'lock jaw.'

The condition is known as jaw hyperextension, it is most common in fishes that feed on aufwuchs (algal turfs and their associated microfauna), and is caused by the locking of a bone called the urohyal into the cleithra, it may be easily resolved without damage by anesthetizing the fish with MS-222 and using a fine, blunt tipped probe to gently depress the urohyal from the INSIDE of the jaw, this "unlocks" the jaw. If the jaw is pushed back from the outside one or both of the cleithra may fracture, resulting in a possibly life-long deformation."

it can also correct it self as has been reported.

 

[Egkid]

I'm having trouble finding anymore information on this procedure. I'm not sure where the urohyal is located and can't find any pictures to figure out where in the mouth it's located on a clownfish. A google search just brings up a grouping of bones for the fishes mouth but none of them are labeled "urohyal".

 

[Triggerfish]

other info here about other possible causes.

http://www.reefland.com/forum/thread21473.html

 

[Egkid]

At this point she seems tired, and I don't want her to starve to death or suffer. I'm debating on euthanizing her at this point. This is with all the flow off on the tank she seems like shes struggling to just swim.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kZRozpqDZrQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Triggerfish]

front of fish looks like some part might be red near gills or maybe its just hte lighting?

you could try to treat with an antibiotic if you have some, just to see if the fish has something treatable. its tough for sure ,, had the fish for a long time.

 

[Egkid]

No you're right, she has red lines behind her mouth but in front of her gills. I don't have any antibiotics on hand but I'm sure I can find some today. With how she's doing I feel like it might be too late and attempting to treat her with a dip will be too stressful for her. But doing nothing will also not do her any good. Purchased her back on 7/25/2008 this is a heartbreaker.

 

[Triggerfish]

yeah i'd get that going as soon as you can. could be treatable if it's bacterial.
good luck

 

[Egkid]

Thanks!