White lips on Clownfish

[Mattie H.]

My Occelarus started a strange new behavior about a week and a half ago - suckling on the tips of a Duncan frag. This week, he's also started to develop white around his lips and a big crease along his jawline. I've also noticed him a bit lethargic over the past few days, today even more so.

I'm thinking some type of fungus or bacterial infection. I started today feeding the tank frozen mysis with metro, kana and a dose of focus to bind it all, but the clownfish doesn't seem very interested in eating. Any idea what this might be, or what I can do?

Thanks!

Here are the lips:

and here he's suckling on the duncan:

 

[James M]

Looks like "mouthing" its one of the ways the clownfish is able to avoid getting stung and producing the correct mucus/slime layer to avoid getting stung.

 

[Flippers4pups]

My Occelarus started a strange new behavior about a week and a half ago - suckling on the tips of a Duncan frag. This week, he's also started to develop white around his lips and a big crease along his jawline. I've also noticed him a bit lethargic over the past few days, today even more so.

I'm thinking some type of fungus or bacterial infection. I started today feeding the tank frozen mysis with metro, kana and a dose of focus to bind it all, but the clownfish doesn't seem very interested in eating. Any idea what this might be, or what I can do?

Thanks!

Here are the lips:

and here he's suckling on the duncan:

#reefsquad, any seen this behavior before?

White mouth, thinking fungal.

 

[Crabs McJones]

#reefsquad, any seen this behavior before?

White mouth, thinking fungal.

Fungal or bacterial

 

[DSC reef]

#reefsquad, any seen this behavior before?

White mouth, thinking fungal.

I agree. Curious if the coral caused this or if it's a natural remedy to the fish.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Physical trauma from the coral. Common upon initial hosting/prepping for eggs.

 

[MTBake]

Pretty sure that's from the coral. The way it is mouthing the the coral seems to line up with the white marks.

Keep an eye on the clown. You might need to move the Duncan frag of it doesn't improve in a few days.

 

[Mattie H.]

Physical trauma from the coral. Common upon initial hosting/prepping for eggs.

So you don't think this is any type of infection? Would this also explain the lethargy and lack of appetite?

 

[MTBake]

So you don't think this is any type of infection? Would this also explain the lethargy and lack of appetite?

The lack of appetite could be due to the fact they're about to spawn. Those pics really look like pre-spawn behavior. I wouldn't be surprised of they spawn with in the next couple days, if not lay eggs. Hard to tell how far along they are in just pics. Need to see the behavior in a video, IMO.

Edit:

If the stings are persistent and bad enough, it can turn into an infection.

Right now, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Keep offering high quality foods, and keep an eye on them. I wouldn't hesitate to move the Duncan frag come Monday or Tuesday if the condition doesn't seem to be improving. I would give them time to acclimate to the Duncan. I had a Duncan host a single clown for 6 years. It did take time for the clown to adapt.

 

[saltyhog]

It may not want to feed because of the discomfort.

The behavior is normal ......for an anemone host. I don't know if a duncan could inflict enough damage to make it uncomfortable or invite a secondary infection but I wouldn't think it's impossible.

 

[joeyv69ragtop]

I noticed the same thing happening to my female clown. This started about a week after adding a duncan and a new RBTA. The clowns previously hosted in a green BTA but jumped ship for the RBTA. Haven't seen her sucking on the duncan, though.

 

[Cnsw1224]

I'm curious..did his mouth ever regain color? Any updates on him? I have a blue spot jawfish that I'm seeing the same discoloration around the mouth. I have also noticed her "biting" my zoa's. She never does damage to them but throughout the day I notice her doing it.

 

[vcarlyle62]

Any updates on this thread, mine just started doing exactly the same thing with my duncan. Now puffy white lips ... worst botox ever

 

[gbroadbridge]

My Occelarus started a strange new behavior about a week and a half ago - suckling on the tips of a Duncan frag. This week, he's also started to develop white around his lips and a big crease along his jawline. I've also noticed him a bit lethargic over the past few days, today even more so.

I'm thinking some type of fungus or bacterial infection. I started today feeding the tank frozen mysis with metro, kana and a dose of focus to bind it all, but the clownfish doesn't seem very interested in eating. Any idea what this might be, or what I can do?

Thanks!

Here are the lips:

and here he's suckling on the duncan:

It's normal when any anemone fish starts to look at a new host.

It is how they build up resistance,

it will go away on it's own and there is no need to use any medication.

 

[vcarlyle62]

Great to hear !! Thx thx for letting me know