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View Full Version : Why are his lips SO Big!!

NewSaltyReefer
09/06/2006, 03:58 PM
I have had my clownfish for 5 months now. About 2 weeks ago my male clownfish's lips became swollen. I checked my parameters and OOPS, pH was 7.8:eek2:

I have the pH to where it needs to be:
NH4=0
NO3=0
NO2=0
Salinity=1.025

Now his lips are stuck open!!!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/4214/109333Marlin2.jpg
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/4248/109333Marlin1.jpg

He is eating fine and seems healthy otherwise....any suggestions!!
MarinaP
09/06/2006, 04:43 PM
Has he been cleaning lately? He could have damaged his mouth doing that.

Another option is that he bumped into a rock or glass and damaged his jaws.

How long has he been like that?
NewSaltyReefer
09/06/2006, 05:39 PM
I do not have anyone to clean him!! Is that really necessary?

His lips have been swollen for 2 weeks but they just got stuck like that today.
MarinaP
09/06/2006, 05:50 PM
Clowns clean potential nest sites by biting an area of the rock (for example) that they deem to be suitable for laying eggs. If the area if rough, they can damage their mouths.

Hence was my first question.
ClownReef®
09/06/2006, 07:25 PM
Watch his mouth VERY closely..Especially watch out for the lips actually coming apart from the mouth (freakish, i know) but i have seen it happen before. It happened to a clown i had a LONG time ago..i couldnt really treat him with anything since i didnt know what it was. ..But, is he eating?..If he's NOT eating, he's probably not going to make it. But lets hope its nothing like that...Keep us updated.
BonsaiNut
09/06/2006, 10:11 PM
That looks like mouth fungus - not something I have seen too often in marine fish, but pretty common in freshwater. It is actually not a fungus at all, but a bacterial infection. Look up "mouth fungus" or "cotton mouth disease" and you will find many links.

http://petcaretips.net/cotton-mouth-disease.html
boyooso
09/07/2006, 12:27 AM
My female Ocellaris was rubbing her mouth in an open braid for a little while and her mouth was whitish asd a little swollen, but your fish looks more swollen than mine was.

Is there somehing that is sharpish or stingy in yuur tank which your fish has been 'kissing'?


Maybe my fish had a bout of cotton mouth disease, but it seemed pretty obivious what whas happening ot my fish, and maybe yours?

Good Luck!

Corey
OrionN
09/07/2006, 05:58 AM
He is just a great lover.

Kidding aside, I hope he get better. It is an infection of somekind.