Scopas tang keeping mouth open

[Smite]

Hey all,


I've got a scopas tang that is keeping it's mouth open at all times. It went through a QT of 2 prazi doses and observation. It is now in my DT. Up until now it would charge the nori sheet with the rest of my tangs and eat frozen food no problem. Now it eyeballs everything which makes me think it can't operate its mouth.

Mouth open at all times
From what I can see no obstruction
Sprints to food but then can't eat
Breathing seems normal
Still comes out and swims the tank
Teeth seem to protrude out, I don't recall seeing this in the past but I wasn't really looking either

I noticed this yesterday. I'm going to put another nori sheet in once lights are on and watch his behavior. I did add a torch coral the night before this appeared and it was placed near where he normally sleeps. My tank is mostly sticks so I wonder if the movement maybe attracted him? I have a small gigantea anemone. Bristle worms too. I'm almost wondering if he got stung or tried to nibble something he shouldn't have. I guess it could be a physical injury as well but he's a pretty mellow fish, largest tang in the group.

 

[Smite]

 

[Smite]

Dang, appears to be the same today. Came up with the group to the nori sheet but still not eating.

 

[Smite]

Dumped some brine in there, same deal. Went for it but can seem to eat it.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Same thing happened to my yellow tang after dosing prazi / general cure. It eventually resolved. I did use epsom salt to treat it. I’m not sure if it made a difference but the fish survived. I would recommend removing the prazi and research epsom salt dosing. Can do water change or use carbon. I also helped a person a few months back with same issue but the fish didn’t make it. I suspect it’s a reaction to the meds that happened in some tangs. Good luck

 

[Smite]

Same thing happened to my yellow tang after dosing prazi / general cure. It eventually resolved. I did use epsom salt to treat it. I’m not sure if it made a difference but the fish survived. I would recommend removing the prazi and research epsom salt dosing. Can do water change or use carbon. I also helped a person a few months back with same issue but the fish didn’t make it. I suspect it’s a reaction to the meds that happened in some tangs. Good luck

Thanks, sorry if I wasn't clear.

This fish was in QT with prazi about 1 month ago. Then observation, making sure he ate. He's been in the display for a few weeks now and was eating up until recently. I don't recall his mouth looking like it does now though.

 

[Smite]

Here I managed a better picture.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

It looks like it’s going to be difficult to catch it to treat it with anything. Might be best to just hope it gets better and hope it was a sting or some other toxin and Hope it heals. It’s some type of angioedema or throat swelling. Epsom salt helps by changing osmotic pressure and prevents swelling from worsening. I don’t think there’s any way to know for sure what triggered it

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Nice pics. Mine looked the same.

 

[Smite]

Thank you. If he doesn't get better I'll try and trap him and treat in my QT. Only bummer is he's not aggressive at all so my mirror on the back of the fish trap trick won't work but maybe food will still entice him enough to go in.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Mirror in the fish trap is brilliant! I need to set that up. Good luck

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Any luck?

 

[LeftyReefer]

I have a scopas tang in QT right now. Was going to be dosing GC or prazi after copper, but maybe not now...

Now saying that, I'm curious about the mentions of epsom salt for treating this issue.... what does epsom salt do for marine (saltwater) fish? As far as I know, epsom salt is only used for freshwater fish, but has little to no effect on saltwater fish because there is already an abundance of salt (including magnesium and sulfur) in saltwater. Adding a tiny additional amount of epsom salt (1 tablespoon per gallon) isn't going to change anything.

When we mix saltwater, we are mixing a half a cup of salt per gallon of water, give or take... adding another TABLESPOON of epsom salt per gallon of water isn't going to have any meaningful affect on any marine fishes or their ailments. Epsom salts doesn't do much of anything for marine fishes, who are already swimming around in higher levels of the stuff than the recommended treatments call for.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Here I managed a better picture.

I can't help with the mouth issue but just wanted to say that's a really pretty scopas!

 

[Smite]

Any luck?

No I’m still waiting on the correct medications to show up. Should be here Saturday. I don’t see a point in pulling him until I’m ready to treat, probably more stable in the DT and maybe getting something with my daily phyto dosing.

 

[Smite]

I have a scopas tang in QT right now. Was going to be dosing GC or prazi after copper, but maybe not now...

I wouldnt hesitate to use either of those treatments after copper. I don’t feel this was due to that treatment in my case. I think it was injury of some kind that got infected while in the display. I’ve put a lot of tangs through GC and also praizpro with no issue personally.

I feel like there was a thread by humble fish that mentioned epsom salt but I could be mistaken. I believe for constipation?

 

[Smite]

I can't help with the mouth issue but just wanted to say that's a really pretty scopas!

Thank you, #1 underrated fish!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I wouldnt hesitate to use either of those treatments after copper. I don’t feel this was due to that treatment in my case. I think it was injury of some kind that got infected while in the display. I’ve put a lot of tangs through GC and also praizpro with no issue personally.

I feel like there was a thread by humble fish that mentioned epsom salt but I could be mistaken. I believe for constipation?

That sure looks like an injury to me. The lack of rapid breathing, interest in food (but not eating) both point to that. I've seen this in angelfish and tangs, but the cases I've seen were when the fish snagged its teeth in a net. Not exactly sure how this could happen to a fish just swimming around in a tank.

Trouble is, there isn't much you can do for an injury like this, one that doesn't appear to be infected.

Jay

 

[R33fDaddy]

I think it's just an injury that hopefully will heel on its on.

I have a tang that does nothing but aggressively picks at rocks all day long. I mean, this fish hits the rocks hard with his mouth and I've literally never seen his mouth closed lol.

This is what I use for general fish injuries, maybe it can help if it gets too bad..... https://amzn.to/3g1fMIR

 

[Smite]

So unfortunately it is starting to look infected or if it’s a fungus it’s growing more. I ordered some sulfaplex. Once it arrives I’ll catch him at treat.