New snowflake clown with mouth open

[smalltimereefin]

Hi I have a new pair of snowflake clowns in my 20g nano. Both from liveaquaria and they are beautiful, however the smaller of the pair has been staying in the bottom corner of the tank (where they seem to have made their spot) swimming with his mouth open. No signs of bites or redness or discoloration. He seems fine other than that. Neither of them are eating much of the mysis shrimp I've tried feeding them, however I have noticed them eating copepods off of the glass. The clowns and a pom pom crab are the only ones in the tank and have been in there since saturday, and his mouth has been open since sunday. Parameters are good pH 8.1, 0 ammonia and nitrites, about 20ppm nitrates (about to water change), and 1.023 sg. I've got some melafix and pimafix api treatments coming in today in case it's something of that nature. No QT set up yet as this is my first salt tank, hopefully I can add the meds to the tank without causing problems. Any ideas/concerns are welcomed, I want the little guy to make it! As you can see in the picture its not gaping wide open, but it never closes. His bottom lip looks a little swollen.

 

[Highgrade]

Could be an injury or Flukes in the gills. You may want to treat with Prazipro as a precaution.

 

[smalltimereefin]

Also new to the community here and this is my first post, forgive me if Ive broken any rules or touched on an already discussed topic.

 

[smalltimereefin]

Roger that, thanks for the tip.

 

[Humblefish]

How long has the tank been setup and fully cycled? Have you tested for ammonia recently?

Does the clownfish with the open mouth look like he is yawning?

 

[smalltimereefin]

Tank has been set up a little over a month now and fully cycled for about a week and a half. I test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH every day since its been cycled and everything is at 0 except nitrates at around 20. pH is about 8.1 (too low?).

He doesnt seem like he is yawning there is slight movement in his jaw and it isnt too wide, hard to tell because he is tiny. Shortly after I posted this he actually rested on the sand bed and layed still (upright) and closed his mouth for a second, as if he was using the sand bed to push his mouth shut. Opened back up as soon as he started swimming again.

Just picked up some imagitarium parasite remedy from petco, will it work the same as the above recommended prazipro? Also, can I use that, melafix, and pimafix all at once? Or will that cause problems? Planning a 25 percent water change tonight and adding those 3 if I can add them together.

 

[smalltimereefin]

Trying to decide wether to do the melafix and pimafix together for the 7 day treatment or the parasite remedy first. What do you think? Water is heating for the 25% change now.

 

[jeff williams]

What's in the parasite remedy active ingredient?

 

[smalltimereefin]

It actually doesn't mention an active ingredient. Can't find anything with research either. I think im going to go with the melafix and pimafix for 7 days and if nothing improves look into something for parasites. His lips are a little white. Hoping it's bacterial or fungal and this clears it up. Or time will heal the injury if its neither.

 

[jeff williams]

It's probably a natural remedy like pimafix and melafix, imo I would do like your thinking and dose the primafix and melafix together and use the other on separately. I have heard of a condition and I can't remember what causes it but the fishes mouth will stay puckered up like humblefish was asking you. And it either corrects itself or it don't but it wasn't treatable from what I remember.

 

[Girthrockwel]

Also new to the community here and this is my first post, forgive me if Ive broken any rules or touched on an already discussed topic.

Folks here aren't like that. If you have a question, ask it. No reason to apologize. Welcome to the forum! Good luck with the fish.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Also new to the community here and this is my first post, forgive me if Ive broken any rules or touched on an already discussed topic.

Welcome to R2R! Don't worry about asking a question that's already been asked because nobody has asked that question in regards to YOUR fish. Everyone is here to help, and learn from one another. Best forum I've ever been part of.

 

[smalltimereefin]

Appreciate the good vibes and warm welcomes. Dosed the mela and pima after the water change last night. He's already looking better this morning... His mouth is nearly all the way closed besides the slight opening and closing from his breathing. I'll keep up the treatments.

Stoked

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Keep an eye on your skimmer, if you have one. Mine went Mount Wannahackalugie on me after melafix...

 

[smalltimereefin]

Yeah not running a skimmer for now, got a powerhead towards the surface for now. I did read that tho8gh, good to know it holds truth.

So quick update:
He is still swimming with his mouth closed which seems to be progress but his cheeks look a little red, it might be his gills I can see through his face though, and he is breathing a bit quickly. Going keep up treatment. He also swims with his head higher than his tail and sometimes almost straight vertical since this all began.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Have you tested ammonia? If that is good(0ppm) I would do a fresh water dip to check for flukes.

 

[melypr1985]

Can you post a video of this clownfish? I want to see the breathing and the way he is swimming if possible.

 

[smalltimereefin]

0 ammonia and everything except nitrates which are avout 10 ppm after last nigjts water change. Uploaded a video, here is the link. He may be fine and I may just be paranoid, again im new to the saltwater.

 

[smalltimereefin]

Considering the freshwater dip now. Does the pH of the freshwater matter as long as it's RO?

 

[SashimiTurtle]

@melypr1985 was kind enough to make a very good video on fresh water dips for dummies like me...