Both tangs have their mouths opened.

[Darby1712]

Hello guys,

I have noticed my Hippo Tang and Powder Blue Tang have their mouths constantly opened, can you guys advise what I should do going forward??

 

[Billldg]

Are they acting any differently than before? The more info you give the more others can help.

@Big G , @4FordFamily , @HotRocks

 

[Nigel35]

It probably is them not eating enough. I have a yellow tang and it had the same problem. The reason it happens is that they are constantly eating algae on the rocks and so there mouths are sore. Just get them eating a little more so that they can spend less time having to eat the algae and you will have them back into shape in no time.

 

[Big G]

"Mouths open" and breathing rapidly?

Are these new fish to you?

 

[4FordFamily]

Mouths open can be a sign of uronema but that's not commonly seen in tangs, nor is it an assumption I'd make. It could be a mouth injury from darting in to rocks or quarreling. If they're eating and no other symptoms, I wouldn't concern myself too much.

 

[Darby1712]

Mouths open can be a sign of uronema but that's not commonly seen in tangs, nor is it an assumption I'd make. It could be a mouth injury from darting in to rocks or quarreling. If they're eating and no other symptoms, I wouldn't concern myself too much.

Yes they are eating well, no sign of them gasping or anything

 

[Darby1712]

It probably is them not eating enough. I have a yellow tang and it had the same problem. The reason it happens is that they are constantly eating algae on the rocks and so there mouths are sore. Just get them eating a little more so that they can spend less time having to eat the algae and you will have them back into shape in no time.

How many times are you feeding your fish ?

 

[Darby1712]

"Mouths open" and breathing rapidly?

Are these new fish to you?

No I have had them over 3 months now

 

[MTBake]

Tank looks pretty bare of algae for them to eat. Are you feeding nori or other algae sheets? My kole would have this happen when my tank was still new. I agree with @Nigel35. They keep picking at rocks or glass to feed and aren't getting enough to eat. Causing their mouths to be sore. Try nori sheets on a clip. LRS Herbivore blend is good too.

 

[Darby1712]

Tank looks pretty bare of algae for them to eat. Are you feeding nori or other algae sheets? My kole would have this happen when my tank was still new. I agree with @Nigel35. They keep picking at rocks or glass to feed and aren't getting enough to eat. Causing their mouths to be sore. Try nori sheets on a clip. LRS Herbivore blend is good too.

Yes I agree with you , I feed the algae pellets on a daily basis, and nori sheets

 

[MTBake]

FWIW, I've let the glass on my tank get a little dirty. Kole tangs like film algae. Mine picks at the glass and rocks all day.

Here's a pic of the front glass. You can see it's mouth marks all over it. I don't have many corals in the tank and it really likes to eat this film algae. So I let the glass get dirty and don't clean it all at once. Hardly any algae is growing on my rocks, so this is the method I've chosen to help feed him/her.

 

[Tanked2022]

Mouths open can be a sign of uronema but that's not commonly seen in tangs, nor is it an assumption I'd make. It could be a mouth injury from darting in to rocks or quarreling. If they're eating and no other symptoms, I wouldn't concern myself too much.

Mine does that too and eats well she’s a piggy lol and very active and I’m very suprised not skittish with me at all

 

[davidcalgary29]

Since it's been 2 1/2 years, I'm going to guess that those tangs have closed their mouths now. Maybe @Darby1712 will give us an update!!