Clownfish with a white mouth

[Ldanielle]

I recently bought a biocube 32 from someone, it had 2 clown fish in it when I got there to pick it up, so I’ve had the tank probably 3 weeks now and for the last week or so I’ve noticed my smaller develop this white around his mouth. Now it’s almost puckered out and as someone new to the hobby I’m very concerned and confused

 

[Ldanielle]

Commenting to add: I kept the original water and parameters seem decent and stable

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I recently bought a biocube 32 from someone, it had 2 clown fish in it when I got there to pick it up, so I’ve had the tank probably 3 weeks now and for the last week or so I’ve noticed my smaller develop this white around his mouth. Now it’s almost puckered out and as someone new to the hobby I’m very concerned and confused

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

My first thought that this is from "grappling", where two clownfish bicker and bite at each other, usually on the mouth. Normally, two clowns that have been living peacefully won't engage in that sort of behavior, but they sometimes do that when things in the tank get disrupted (like a tank move or moving decorations around).

You likely won't see this happen - it's over in a second, and when you are in the room, both clowns are busy watching you, and their behavior changes. You can sometimes sus this out by setting up your phone to video the tank, and then leave the room.

Is the affected clown still feeding normally? If so, this may be a minor thing that will pass in time. If the smaller clown has stopped feeding, that's more serious, and you may need to separate the two fish to give this one a break.

Jay

 

[Uncle99]

Sometimes clowns bite, mouth to mouth.

 

[Ldanielle]

I recently bought a biocube 32 from someone, it had 2 clown fish in it when I got there to pick it up, so I’ve had the tank probably 3 weeks now and for the last week or so I’ve noticed my smaller develop this white around his mouth. Now it’s almost puckered out and as someone new to the hobby I’m very concerned and confused

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

My first thought that this is from "grappling", where two clownfish bicker and bite at each other, usually on the mouth. Normally, two clowns that have been living peacefully won't engage in that sort of behavior, but they sometimes do that when things in the tank get disrupted (like a tank move or moving decorations around).

You likely won't see this happen - it's over in a second, and when you are in the room, both clowns are busy watching you, and their behavior changes. You can sometimes sus this out by setting up your phone to video the tank, and then leave the room.

Is the affected clown still feeding normally? If so, this may be a minor thing that will pass in time. If the smaller clown has stopped feeding, that's more serious, and you may need to separate the two fish to give this one a break.

Jay

It is still eating fine, I’ve also noticed it hiding In a small little cave in the rock and picking at the rock. I wondered that also but like I said I’m new, so I figured id come to for more experienced answers