I am sorry and I do see the injury to its mouth. It is hyperextension.
There could be one or more reasons for the clownfish to have its mouth in this position.
*If the area is irritated from parasitic attack, the fish may find it uncomfortable to close its mouth but in this case, I would imagine due to fighting.
There is a high probability the physical damage (injury) to the mouth area is because it engaged in a fight.
I am so sorry to read and see of this
savetheocean.
An injury will cause swelling and when/if the swelling goes down the mouth will return to normal.
*With jaw hyperextension, there are two ways forward
1. do nothing and hope it returns to normal in a few days.
2. Anesthetize the fish and manipulate the urohyal bone which has jammed but the average hobbyist has no means to do so, unfortunately.
If the fish is having difficulty in breathing, it could die from the condition.
Unfortunately, certain cases of jaw hyperextension can also place the gills into a position where they will not operate normally causing respiratory stress (
rapid breathing), that will lead to death.
There are a 50/50% chance things will go back to normal providing the clown will start eating and getting the proper and best nutrition and recover.
Most remaining cases, the fish is helped by manipulating the urohyal bone but can kill the poor thing.
I hope all returns to normal. And I apologize that you and the fish are going through this and hope it goes back into a state of relaxation.
