Firefish with injured mouth

Alexreefer · Feb 27, 2020

Hey all, ive recently noticed that my fire fish has been very seclusive. He came out to eat today but i noticed his mouth was wide open and it seemed like it was severely injured. I will try and get him out again tomorrow to get some pics. Any idea what this is? A parasite, injury?

Alexreefer · Feb 27, 2020

Anyone? #reefsquad ?

Big G · Feb 27, 2020

Darn Firefish. They don't call them "dart" fish for nothing. Mine used to rip off their dorsal fins all the time. Always looked like they had gotten in a fight and didn't win.

blitzkragz · Feb 27, 2020

Its interesting to hear this, I just experienced the exact same thing. One day out of the blue my helfrichi firefish had its mouth open all the time, and I just thought he was posturing to other fish in the tank. But it turns out it was permanent, and kind of skewed to one side.

He lived 2 weeks or so, seemed to be able to still capture mysis when in the water column. But a couple days ago I saw him at the bottom lethargic, and a bit afterwards the crabs got to him.

Alexreefer · Feb 27, 2020

Big G said:
Darn Firefish. They don't call them "dart" fish for nothing. Mine used to rip off their dorsal fins all the time. Always looked like they had gotten in a fight and didn't win.

Are you saying as long as the fish eats it should be fine?

Alexreefer · Feb 27, 2020

blitzkragz said:
Its interesting to hear this, I just experienced the exact same thing. One day out of the blue my helfrichi firefish had its mouth open all the time, and I just thought he was posturing to other fish in the tank. But it turns out it was permanent, and kind of skewed to one side.

He lived 2 weeks or so, seemed to be able to still capture mysis when in the water column. But a couple days ago I saw him at the bottom lethargic, and a bit afterwards the crabs got to him.

Sorry to hear that.

TheShrimpNibbler · Feb 28, 2020

Are there any other firefish in the tank? I’ve heard that if there are fights between firefish, they tend to try and tear each other’s mouths.

Alexreefer · Feb 28, 2020

TheShrimpNibbler said:
Are there any other firefish in the tank? I’ve heard that if there are fights between firefish, they tend to try and tear each other’s mouths.

Nope. Just that one

Alexreefer · Feb 29, 2020

Feed the fish again today. Firefish came out and he looks the same. I see no aggressive behavior between him or other fish. Sorry for the bad pics in advance.

Alexreefer · Mar 2, 2020

#reefsquad ?

blitzkragz · Mar 2, 2020

Have you noticed it get any worse? In my case, it seemed to get progressively worse. His mouth looked even more mangled after 10 days or so. To me it was a disfigurement that did not look repairable, I just made sure he got some mysis every feeding, but I am also curious if reefsquad has any insight.

I know you don't have any other firefish, but either a fight with some other fish/crab or a pump are the only things I can think that would cause it. I notice you have a Sleeper Banded Goby in the background there, I have one almost exactly like it.

Alexreefer · Mar 2, 2020

blitzkragz said:
Have you noticed it get any worse? In my case, it seemed to get progressively worse. His mouth looked even more mangled after 10 days or so. To me it was a disfigurement that did not look repairable, I just made sure he got some mysis every feeding, but I am also curious if reefsquad has any insight.

I know you don't have any other firefish, but either a fight with some other fish/crab or a pump are the only things I can think that would cause it. I notice you have a Sleeper Banded Goby in the background there, I have one almost exactly like it.

Does not seem to get worse. He has been very seclusive but comes out for food. Should i try and get him out into a breeder box?

Idoc · Mar 2, 2020

I had one that showed one day with something different with his mouth structure as well. I only had a split second to see him before he darted into his rock hole. He never came out again...he's been gone for about 2.5 months.

TheShrimpNibbler · Mar 2, 2020

Have you recently caught this fish in a net? I have had a fish’s mouth get messed up after getting caught in a net. Luckily, the fish has healed and is doing good now.

Alexreefer · Mar 2, 2020

TheShrimpNibbler said:
Have you recently caught this fish in a net? I have had a fish’s mouth get messed up after getting caught in a net. Luckily, the fish has healed and is doing good now.

No, he was in the tank for about a month before this happened.