Clownfish with Open mouth

G

GilroyC

New member
Mornign all,

It's been 5 days since, I have a pair of OC Clownfish in my 20 gallon nuvo tank. Last night, I noticed, that the larger of the 2 clownfish has it's mouth open and slightly swollen (with the lower jaw seeming to be slightly extended and a small white mark in the middle of her lower lip) and is unable to close the same. There are no visible signs of distress, however, she does at times rubs her mouth on the LR and swims to the surface of the tank. O2 doesn't seem a problem, as there is enough surface agitation....No signs of heavy or rapid breathing as well. I tried feeding, however, she wasn't her usual self(just a few nibbles, and that was all), with the smaller CF finally having a good meal...she's swimming around fine, however, what's clear is that she isn't a 100%

Tanks Parameters as follows:

pH: 7.8
Ammonium: .15
Nitrite: .1
Nitrate: 1
Salanity: 1.027

Any ideas and help would be appreciated. I do not have any corals as the tank is about 4 weeks old. Tank inhabitants are the CF and a pair of Astrea Snails.
 
Correct, am aware of that, however, prior to adding any livestock all parameters were normal. The tank went into a mini cycle after addition to the livestock. While I am daily monitoring the tank and it's parameters, I really need to know w.r.t the open mouth and swollen lips of my CF.

I don't have any QT, and while I'm playing the wait and watch game, hoping, it's just an injury and the same would heal. Am hoping for any insights into what to do in case things begin to go downhill for the CF.
 
She seems to be eating fine...better than the last feeding...their poop is normal as well.

No signs of heavy breating or lethargy...however, whatever, the reason for her open mouth, definitely seems to bug her...the only thing is that she at times goes to the water surface, rubs her lips on the LR and makes some strange faces as if she trying to rectify things herself...do check and let know.

Appreciate all help I could get.
 
This doesnt appear to be anything significant IMO probably a scratch that has got infected by bacteria, will probably clear up in a few days.

That being said you should try some small frequent water changes every day to get the ammonium and nitrite down.



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Thanks for your response gavinbree.....That makes me feel better.

Am currently, doing water changes(around 30-40%) every week.....that said, I have done 2 30% WC this week(maybe in a space of 2 days each)

will try and do daily 5%-10% water changes everyday to try and lower the ammo and nitrites....
 
Yeah, looks like some bacterial infection of a wound. If it doesn't get better in a few days I would suggest to treat it with a broadband antibiotic.
Are these wild or captive bred?
 
As per the LFS....captive bred....He does have some snowake CF which are wild...however, was recommended to go with captive bred fish as they are much hardier and are less susceptible to various fish disease.

Will keep monitoring the same and hope it gets better...If it doesn't heal itself, will treat the same with a BB antibiotic.

Thanks again for your advise...will keep updated.
 
snowake CF which are wild
Click to expand...
You mean they have wild caught Snowflake ocellaris???? I really hope not!

As for tankbred fish being less susceptible to diseases - not really. They are usually less stressed out as they normally not get shipped around half the planet. Yet they have not gone through the rigorous selection and elimination process mother nature usually imposes on fish in the oceans.
 
That's what the LFS has told me...suprisingly, they're the only CF which hasn't been bought since I saw them in the shop 2 months ago.

They're priced as AED 700 a pair as compared to AED 140 a pair of OCELLARIS

I know they recently got a shipment from Southeast Asia, hence, am assuing they keep wild and tank bred fish...This is the only LFS in AUH that caters to saltwater fish...Most of the others are into Freshwater only.

W.r.t tank bred fish...makes sense, with what you say.
 
What is the temperature of your tank?
And what is your lighting schedule?

If you notice the lesion doesn't spread of develop quickly, it is often much less serious. However, having clownfish; they can be especially susceptible to many diseases including the aptly names "clownfish disease" aka Brooklynella hostilis. You can read all about it on other forums and threads. However, long story short - you may want to keep some medications like formalin on hand in the event that you clowns do get sick - since that is a rapidly progressing disease.
 
Tank temperature is between 24' - 26'...As for the lighting, I rarely, keep the Skyye LED on...Maybe around 4-5 hrs a day after I get home from work...The rest of the day, it's basically, whatever, light is available in the room.

I have also noticed this evening, that she has a slight red spot just above her upper lip...like a cut mark...other than that she's being eating well and there isn't any other signs of discomfort...however, I do feel that she has sobered down or become timid(isn't as erratic and adventurous in her swimming as before - like a clownfish not being a clownfish), since, having the open mouth...doesn't boss the smaller clown as often as earlier.

Will pick up some broadband antibiotics and formalin to keep on hand and continue to observe...Also, was considering getting some garlic mix as have heard clowns taking garlic mixed food well, while the garlic helps build their immunity.
 
Update:

My clownfish with the open mouth seems to have healed herself, however, theer is still 1% of her mouth which still remains open. Am assuming in due time, she would heal herself completely.

On another note, I have witnessed some strange behavior with the clownfish. She seems to be having fits or convulsions and it's not the regular seizures which accompany clownfish. This is different, where it seems like her body becomes stiff and there is rapid body and head movement as if she just received a massive shock. Am not sure what to conclude or whether this is normal behavior or not. Also, she does this for a max. 5-10 seconds and then is back to normal. Happens at least once a day.

Any inputs and advise would help. Swimming, breathing and eating is all normal.

Water parameters:

Ammonium: .1
Nitrite: .05
Nitrate: 1-5
ph: 7.8 - 8.0
Salanity: 1.027
Temperature: 24'C - 26'C
 
Morning All,

with all my water parameters being normal, I added a Heralds/Yellow Angelfish to my tank. It's been 2 days since, and while all inhabitants are swimming, eating and breathing fine, I have noticed(this morning), that the tail fin was slightly frayed. I have tried to take a picture, however, the angelfish is not very obliging as my clowns are is always amongst the rock work.

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg542/gilroyc/20161002_0950151_zpsikbiaurm.jpg

Any idea as to what I should make of this....I do not have a QT, however, will be setting up one as a long term hospital tank for emergencies. Also, when checked this morning, my water parameters were as follows:

Salanity: 1.026
ph: 7.8 - 8.0
Ammonium: .05 - .1
Nitrite: .1
Nitrate: 1

As happened when I added my clownfish, I am again seeing a slight spike in the water parameters, which am hoping will go back to 0 in a few days...

I perform weekly water changes of 30%, with the next water change due on Thursday.

Also, I have notices slight white spots on my small clownfish. Not sure whether it is a possible ich or small bite marks caused by the female, as she was slightly aggressive with him yesterday(especially, during feeding)....Unfortunately, it does not show on camera, as the same is only slightly visible, if light(LED) falls on it....In normal lighting, there seems to be no issue with the fish.

However, any help on my clownfish & angelfish would be appreciated....
 
 
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