Clownfish rapid mouth movement

[Pennywise the Clown]

I have a pair of Black Photon that I have been in my display for 8 months. Recently, the larger, presumably female has started to be hosted by my hammers. A few weeks ago I noticed that she was opening and closing her mouth quite slowly. But she was healthy, happy and eating well. However, today I noticed that she is now rapidly opening and closing her mouth, constantly. She still does not exhibit any symptoms of being unwell and looks perfectly healthy.

Ammonia 0
Nitrate 20
Phosphate 0.1
dkh 8.1
Calcium 400
Magnesium 1300

I have recently been battling a bad dino outbreak (hence my elivated nutrients) but no fish or inverts were affected and my display now looks better than it has ever done. All corals and fish are doing really well. I still am running a 55w UV steriliser as a precaution.

 

[Big G]

Has the clown every been freshwater dipped to check for flukes?

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

Has the clown every been freshwater dipped to check for flukes?

No, never.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Any new additions to your tank that didn’t go through QT?

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

Only a Monti added about 3 weeks ago and some trochus snails around the same time.

 

[Big G]

You may have introduced parasites into your system. Rapid breathing can be a symptom of flukes or velvet. Here's a thread that shows some of the most common problems. Both flukes and velvet can be difficult to "see" as they can both attack the fish's gills unseen to your inspection. So we watch for "other" symptoms.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-disease-index-pictorial-guide.285708/#post-3473098

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/flukes-–-general-guidelines.224423/#post-2594743

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/velvet-amyloodinium-ocellatum.217570/#post-2499399

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

I have checked out the symptoms above she is not exhibiting any other signs of illness at all. On closer inspection, the clown is not fully opening and closing her mouth, it never shuts. It's almost like she is muttering to herself.

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

And here's a pic

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

And here's a pic

Could you possibly get a video?

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

Not the best quality but it shows what is happening.

 

[JacquieBeginnerReef]

Not the best quality but it shows what is happening.

Have you had an answer for this? I just got a new clown and it’s doing a similar thing.

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

Have you had an answer for this? I just got a new clown and it’s doing a similar thing.

No answer. The clown is still doing it, maybe not as much, but looks happy and healthy.

 

[JacquieBeginnerReef]

No answer. The clown is still doing it, maybe not as much, but looks happy and healthy.

You were right when you said it just looks like it’s muttering - it was swimming around normally and seemed quite happy. Maybe it’s just a habit!

 

[ramona]

How is the clown today? Mine looks like is :)...chatting?

 

[Terri Caton]

They do that. Nothing to worry about.

 

[ramona]

They do that. Nothing to worry about.

Thank you. I won't worry than.

 

[soarer209]

How’s your clownfish? Mine is currently doing this it’s the male doing it he’s with his female