Lockjaw

[Kobe]

My clownfish jaw wont close and it's been this way for weeks and I read online it's not something that can be fixed easy and today when I looked at him he was all skin and bones and looks like he just barely holding on what can I do to save him ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

Fish can hyperextend their jaws, and then, there is a tiny bone at top center of the jaw that locks in place. If that happens, the fish can't eat, and will die. In a few cases, if I caught it early enough, I've been able to catch the fish and gently force its mouth closed. Often the jaw still looks a bit weird, but the fish can start feeding again.

I'm sorry, but from your description, I think it might be too late to try that on this fish....

Jay