Triggerfish "dent" on side of head

[siniang]

Hello,

today I noticed that at some times my humu has some kind of "dent" at his jaw. It's almost as if a muscle gets "stuck" or something, if he yawns or chews it's gone for a bit, but get's back after a while. It's only on one side and I haven't noticed it before. Behavior is normal, good appetite.

Any ideas?

 

[Big G]

It may have injured itself while feeding. As long as it is eating without difficulty, there's not much to do. Sometimes fish injure their mouths and the jaws get stuck open (distended mouth) which can slowly heal or never and can cause death.
If you notice any swelling, you can dose the tank with 1 tablespoon of plain USP grade Epsoms salts per 5 gallon of tank water. Can re-dose once.

 

[siniang]

Thank you.

I haven't noticed any swelling and it doesn't seem to be permanent. This morning it wasn't there but was back after a while. He's feeding right now (his usual piggy self) and it's gone. He's otherwise showing normal trigger behavior, moving little rocks around, biting rocks, chasing the blenny, etc.

 

[4FordFamily]

It may have injured itself while feeding. As long as it is eating without difficulty, there's not much to do. Sometimes fish injure their mouths and the jaws get stuck open (distended mouth) which can slowly heal or never and can cause death.
If you notice any swelling, you can dose the tank with 1 tablespoon of plain USP grade Epsoms salts per 5 gallon of tank water. Can re-dose once.

Agree. :)

 

[siniang]

So for now there's nothing to do but wait? If see swelling (and/or behavior change?), dose Epsoms salt (will that harm my other fish?).

Good chance he's injured his mouth, he charges the tank glass in search for food....stupid fish.

 

[Hemmdog]

Hello,

today I noticed that at some times my humu has some kind of "dent" at his jaw. It's almost as if a muscle gets "stuck" or something, if he yawns or chews it's gone for a bit, but get's back after a while. It's only on one side and I haven't noticed it before. Behavior is normal, good appetite.

Any ideas?

Sorry about your trigger. Is that just a vinyl background? I legitimately thought this picture was taken in the ocean lol.

 

[Big G]

So for now there's nothing to do but wait? If see swelling (and/or behavior change?), dose Epsoms salt (will that harm my other fish?).

Good chance he's injured his mouth, he charges the tank glass in search for food....stupid fish.

Epsom salts will only very slightly raise your Mg levels in the tank at that dosing rate. Won't hurt fish or inverts or corals.

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Sorry about your trigger. Is that just a vinyl background? I legitimately thought this picture was taken in the ocean lol.

I thought it was a huge tank at first