I've had a pair of Black Ice Clownfish that I've raised from a 1/2 inch to roughly 2 1/2 inches over the past 7 months and I noticed recently that the female always seems to have her mouth slightly open at all times whereas the male's is always closed. The two have never fought so I know the jaw isn't dislocated and they obviously show no signs of sickness...both of them eat like pigs and are always active at all times. Is it possible that she just has a deformity to where her mouth can't close all the way? Is this a common trait of tank raised fish?
Tank Raised Clownfish - Mouth Deformity?
- Thread starter j.falk
- Start date
OrionN
Moved on
I am sure either can cause deformities. Poor water condition can deform fry but so is genetic problem due to inbreeding.
Look at the maroon lightning. There cannot be that many generations of in breeding but I have yet see a normal lightning maroon other than the original. IMO all the deformities there are environmental in cause.
Ocellaris tent to tolerate poor water condition better. Baby Ocellaris tend to look more natural with similar condition then Percula.
What deformities cause bud genetic and which by environment is anybody’s guess. I have not try to breed deformed clowns due to desirable characteristics so I cannot confirm that I can do better by providing better water condition.
Look at the maroon lightning. There cannot be that many generations of in breeding but I have yet see a normal lightning maroon other than the original. IMO all the deformities there are environmental in cause.
Ocellaris tent to tolerate poor water condition better. Baby Ocellaris tend to look more natural with similar condition then Percula.
What deformities cause bud genetic and which by environment is anybody’s guess. I have not try to breed deformed clowns due to desirable characteristics so I cannot confirm that I can do better by providing better water condition.
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D-Nak
Active member
Many times this type of face deformity is caused by the babies bumping their heads into the walls of the tubs or tanks while they are very young. Breeders oftentimes tint the water with phyto so that the babies can see the walls and not bump into them. They also densely feed rotifers so that the babies don’t have too travel far to find food. Babies will dart at prey and if they hit the wall this is where the deformity happens.
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SOLVED. I figured out what it was. What I thought was her mouth hanging open actually turned out to be new dark coloring on the area underneath her lips. I didn't realize this until yesterday when I saw her yawn and noticed that it was just coloration and not her actual mouth hanging open. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions/advice. I appreciate it.
