Why do clownfish yawn

[clownfishmama]

I have noticed my clownfish yawning (not excessively) and staying still in one spot (not excessively but still happens) despite there being no ammonia in my tank.

 

[TX_REEF]

Maybe he needs a nap?

do you have good surface agitation for oxygenation?

 

[blecki]

* Low Oxygen
* They feel like it

Low oxygen could be low dissolved oxygen in the tank or from a parasite affecting the gills.

 

[clownfishmama]

Maybe he needs a nap?

do you have good surface agitation for oxygenation?

what is surface agitation (I'm new to this).

 

[TX_REEF]

what is surface agitation (I'm new to this).

surface agitation is the "ripple" movement of the surface of the water, allowing gas exchange. You don't want the surface to be stagnant. Here's an example:

 

[MnFish1]

If can be symptoms of various flukes as well as normal behavior. Are there any other symptoms - how long ago did you get it, and any other fish doing odd things? Did you QT it?

 

[clownfishmama]

surface agitation is the "ripple" movement of the surface of the water, allowing gas exchange. You don't want the surface to be stagnant. Here's an example:

Oh yeah I have that

If can be symptoms of various flukes as well as normal behavior. Are there any other symptoms - how long ago did you get it, and any other fish doing odd things? Did you QT it?

No other symptoms I thought TX_REEF was referring to the fountain nozzle/output on my Fluval Flex. I'm not sure what you mean by QT could you tell me more? The fish are fine those are the only odd things they do.

 

[KC2020]

I've kept hundreds of clownfish over the last 40 years and that's a common behavior.

If you have a chance to observe others at a local store or in videos online you'll see that they do a few repetitions of opening their mouth wider when they're more or less stationary. I expect it's to keep more water moving through their gills, though that's just my speculation.