Clownfish mouth stuck open

[JBNanoReefer]

Hi, let me start by saying my tank is a 7 month old 10 gallon sumpless saltwater setup with a 190gph powerhead producing great flow around the tank. I had two clownfish for about 3 months and the male just died while I was at work so not sure what happened. All parameters were within normal range. Maybe a fight between the two? Now my one clownfish has had his mouth stuck open for two days now, swims great, no sign of fight wounds(except the mouth of course), and eats like a champ. What should I be looking out for and will this affect him at all, will it heal? Just need some words of encouragement because I don’t want this one to die either lol I’ve attached two photos of how he’s swimming with his mouth open for reference.

 

[JBNanoReefer]

Btw, water changes are every 5 days and
Top off with RODI

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Looks like lock-jaw or Jaw Hypertension. It may go away in a day or so but I would keep an eye on it. Some folks on other forums say it goes away in a couple of days.

The clownfish may have something stuck in its mouth though so take a really close look if you can, but it could also have been stung in the mouth and it hurts more to close it. It doesn't look like it's unhealthy or anything too serious. Is it breathing heavily in addition to the open mouth?

 

[JBNanoReefer]

Looks like lock-jaw or Jaw Hypertension. It may go away in a day or so but I would keep an eye on it. Some folks on other forums say it goes away in a couple of days.

The clownfish may have something stuck in its mouth though so take a really close look if you can, but it could also have been stung in the mouth and it hurts more to close it. It doesn't look like it's unhealthy or anything too serious. Is it breathing heavily in addition to the open mouth?

Not breathing heavily that I can tell. Not sure it was a sting either as I have no corals yet, lock jaw maybe? I’ll keep an eye out for anything though. Thanks!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Not breathing heavily that I can tell. Not sure it was a sting either as I have no corals yet, lock jaw maybe? I’ll keep an eye out for anything though. Thanks!

Could have tried to bite a bristleworm or an aiptasia as well

 

[justinm]

It is called distended mouth. Usually caused by biting a stinging coral or physical trauma. Sometimes it fixes itself, sometimes not.

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree, it should fix itself in a few days. To help with swelling, you could try epsom salt.

Epsom Salt: Treats eye and other injuries. Popeye in one eye usually means injury, but popeye in both eyes usually denotes a bacterial infection requiring antibiotic treatment. Cloudy eye can be a bacterial infection or flukes.

How To Treat - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of aquarium water. Repeat only once, if necessary. Use only “USP” grade Epsom salt.

Pros - Reef safe, as Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate.

Cons/Side Effects - The effects of excessive sulfate in a reef aquarium are not fully known.

 

[JBNanoReefer]

Thank you all for the help!!

 

[JBNanoReefer]

Update: mouth back to normal [emoji1419]

 

[Leadfooted]

It took a month?

 

[JBNanoReefer]

It took a month?

No it took 3 days and he was okay

 

[logan7]

@JBNanoReefer I’m having a similar issue. Did you have success with the epsom salt treatment?

 

[logan7]

@JBNanoReefer I’m having a similar issue with my clown. Did you have success with the epsom salt treatment? Any advice? Thanks

 

[Chrisclown]

@JBNanoReefer I’m having a similar issue with my clown. Did you have success with the epsom salt treatment? Any advice? Thanks

I haven’t tried that force feed gently might help but I think I started to late he’s not looking that good and I’m new to this saltwater and freshwater fish so I’m learning the hard way the furan 2 seems to reduce the redness so I do think now it is bacterial good luck I’ll up date this evening

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Update: mouth back to normal [emoji1419]

how long did it take?