False Perc Behavior Question...Is this normal? *Pics*

StinkinTuna · 01/22/2006, 06:54 PM

Tried posting this in the clownfish forum with no luck so thought I might try here......

I got 2 False percs about a week ago, naturally keeping a close eye on their appearance, just having introduced them into a new tank.

Question is today I noticed 1 who has his mouth open all the time, and wonder if this is normal or cause for concern?

This is just his behavior starting today, before he would open and close his mouth 'normally' but since this morning his mouth almost looks as if he has something stuck in his mouth (though there appears to be no obstruction).

He is swimming in a small area (by my frogspawn) and the only other indication of something abnormal might be that he seems a little darker on the sides and top of his body than he has before. But my main concern is that I havent seen him close his mouth today!?

Only thing I have done different is add some additives yesterday in (Calcium, essential ellements, Strotium & Montebelium, and Tech M) However all my other fish seem to be behaving normally and all corals are ok.

Any insight is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Blindmelonbob · 01/22/2006, 07:01 PM

Have you seen him eat?

StinkinTuna · 01/22/2006, 07:14 PM

its not feeding day today, but he has eaten since I got him...will feed them tomorow and see if he does eat....

StinkinTuna · 01/22/2006, 07:46 PM

Ok so I fed the tank anyways today just to see if he would eat....didnt eat

all other fish ate but he didn't)

So is this a symptom of something lockjaw and no eating?

jason412 · 01/22/2006, 08:04 PM

it could be brook. Im not 100% on diagnosing but that would be my best guess. It attacks the gills of the fish causing loss of hunger i believe. It is listed under the disease/parasite forum. I think the cure is a formalin dip but its been so long since I have quarantined Im not too sure. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=135372
and
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr...oklynella.html

StinkinTuna · 01/22/2006, 08:56 PM

I don't see any lesions of filmy white mucuos on him though if he does have Brook, he doesnt seem to be struggling to breathe but he just stays in his small area.....

Any other thoughts?

Ploppers · 01/23/2006, 04:26 PM

One of my true percs did that for quite a while when I first got them. She didn't eat a whole lot for the first week in QT either. She would suck in food and spit it back out. I introduced them to the main tank after 2 1/2 weeks in QT and her mouth finally closed all the way. Now they're both doing great.

StinkinTuna · 01/23/2006, 10:03 PM

Ahhh words of hope, thanks ploppers for the input and glad to hear your clowns are doing great!

StinkinTuna · 01/28/2006, 12:19 PM

Just as an update and its been a week later and the clownfish is doing great! No more lockjaw!!!

Like yours Ploppers the fish is now doing fine eating TONS and swimming around happily...

So for those with a lockjaw clownfish there is still hope yet woohoo!!

Ploppers · 01/29/2006, 10:23 AM

NICE!
That's good to hear.

I wonder what causes that to happen.

01/22/2006, 06:54 PM	#1
StinkinTuna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 616	False Perc Behavior Question...Is this normal? Pics Tried posting this in the clownfish forum with no luck so thought I might try here...... I got 2 False percs about a week ago, naturally keeping a close eye on their appearance, just having introduced them into a new tank. Question is today I noticed 1 who has his mouth open all the time, and wonder if this is normal or cause for concern? This is just his behavior starting today, before he would open and close his mouth 'normally' but since this morning his mouth almost looks as if he has something stuck in his mouth (though there appears to be no obstruction). He is swimming in a small area (by my frogspawn) and the only other indication of something abnormal might be that he seems a little darker on the sides and top of his body than he has before. But my main concern is that I havent seen him close his mouth today!? Only thing I have done different is add some additives yesterday in (Calcium, essential ellements, Strotium & Montebelium, and Tech M) However all my other fish seem to be behaving normally and all corals are ok. Any insight is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

01/23/2006, 04:26 PM	#7
Ploppers Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 320	One of my true percs did that for quite a while when I first got them. She didn't eat a whole lot for the first week in QT either. She would suck in food and spit it back out. I introduced them to the main tank after 2 1/2 weeks in QT and her mouth finally closed all the way. Now they're both doing great. __________________ "Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither." Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 150 gallon tank w/ 40gallon sump/fuge. 2x 250W 12K Reeflux MH, 2x 140W VHO actinic. majestic angel, breeding true Perc clowns, powder brown tang, foxface, wheelers watchman goby, tiger pistol shrimp, a couple BTAs, maxima clam, bunch of coral, etc..

01/22/2006, 07:01 PM	#2
Blindmelonbob Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 662	Have you seen him eat?

01/22/2006, 07:14 PM	#3
StinkinTuna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 616	its not feeding day today, but he has eaten since I got him...will feed them tomorow and see if he does eat....

01/22/2006, 07:46 PM	#4
StinkinTuna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 616	Ok so I fed the tank anyways today just to see if he would eat....didnt eat all other fish ate but he didn't) So is this a symptom of something lockjaw and no eating?

01/22/2006, 08:04 PM	#5
jason412 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 43	it could be brook. Im not 100% on diagnosing but that would be my best guess. It attacks the gills of the fish causing loss of hunger i believe. It is listed under the disease/parasite forum. I think the cure is a formalin dip but its been so long since I have quarantined Im not too sure. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=135372 and http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr...oklynella.html

01/22/2006, 08:56 PM	#6
StinkinTuna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 616	I don't see any lesions of filmy white mucuos on him though if he does have Brook, he doesnt seem to be struggling to breathe but he just stays in his small area..... Any other thoughts?

01/23/2006, 10:03 PM	#8
StinkinTuna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 616	Ahhh words of hope, thanks ploppers for the input and glad to hear your clowns are doing great!

01/28/2006, 12:19 PM	#9
StinkinTuna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: LA, CA Posts: 616	Just as an update and its been a week later and the clownfish is doing great! No more lockjaw!!! Like yours Ploppers the fish is now doing fine eating TONS and swimming around happily... So for those with a lockjaw clownfish there is still hope yet woohoo!!

01/29/2006, 10:23 AM	#10
Ploppers Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Idaho Posts: 320	NICE! That's good to hear. I wonder what causes that to happen.