Tank Raised Clownfish - Mouth Deformity?

j.falk · 02/16/2018, 11:20 AM

I've had a pair of Black Ice Clownfish that I've raised from a 1/2 inch to roughly 2 1/2 inches over the past 7 months and I noticed recently that the female always seems to have her mouth slightly open at all times whereas the male's is always closed. The two have never fought so I know the jaw isn't dislocated and they obviously show no signs of sickness...both of them eat like pigs and are always active at all times. Is it possible that she just has a deformity to where her mouth can't close all the way? Is this a common trait of tank raised fish?

OrionN · 02/16/2018, 01:31 PM

Pictures please. Face and mouth deformities are very common in tank raise clowns.

Asfur · 02/17/2018, 03:37 AM

What causes the deformities, water parameters or as a result of genetics?

OrionN · 02/17/2018, 04:56 AM

I am sure either can cause deformities. Poor water condition can deform fry but so is genetic problem due to inbreeding.
Look at the maroon lightning. There cannot be that many generations of in breeding but I have yet see a normal lightning maroon other than the original. IMO all the deformities there are environmental in cause.
Ocellaris tent to tolerate poor water condition better. Baby Ocellaris tend to look more natural with similar condition then Percula.
What deformities cause bud genetic and which by environment is anybody’s guess. I have not try to breed deformed clowns due to desirable characteristics so I cannot confirm that I can do better by providing better water condition.

D-Nak · 02/17/2018, 10:52 AM

Many times this type of face deformity is caused by the babies bumping their heads into the walls of the tubs or tanks while they are very young. Breeders oftentimes tint the water with phyto so that the babies can see the walls and not bump into them. They also densely feed rotifers so that the babies don’t have too travel far to find food. Babies will dart at prey and if they hit the wall this is where the deformity happens.

davocean · 02/17/2018, 11:49 AM

I think most deformities we are seeing is due to continuous inbreeding, same as what we see w/ dogs or any other animals.

I think there is a lack of care or understanding from too many backyard breeders.

j.falk · 03/09/2018, 11:26 AM

SOLVED. I figured out what it was. What I thought was her mouth hanging open actually turned out to be new dark coloring on the area underneath her lips. I didn't realize this until yesterday when I saw her yawn and noticed that it was just coloration and not her actual mouth hanging open. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions/advice. I appreciate it.

02/16/2018, 11:20 AM	#1
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	Tank Raised Clownfish - Mouth Deformity? I've had a pair of Black Ice Clownfish that I've raised from a 1/2 inch to roughly 2 1/2 inches over the past 7 months and I noticed recently that the female always seems to have her mouth slightly open at all times whereas the male's is always closed. The two have never fought so I know the jaw isn't dislocated and they obviously show no signs of sickness...both of them eat like pigs and are always active at all times. Is it possible that she just has a deformity to where her mouth can't close all the way? Is this a common trait of tank raised fish?

02/16/2018, 01:31 PM	#2
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	Pictures please. Face and mouth deformities are very common in tank raise clowns. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

02/17/2018, 04:56 AM	#4
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	I am sure either can cause deformities. Poor water condition can deform fry but so is genetic problem due to inbreeding. Look at the maroon lightning. There cannot be that many generations of in breeding but I have yet see a normal lightning maroon other than the original. IMO all the deformities there are environmental in cause. Ocellaris tent to tolerate poor water condition better. Baby Ocellaris tend to look more natural with similar condition then Percula. What deformities cause bud genetic and which by environment is anybody’s guess. I have not try to breed deformed clowns due to desirable characteristics so I cannot confirm that I can do better by providing better water condition. __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip Last edited by OrionN; 02/17/2018 at 05:01 AM.

02/17/2018, 10:52 AM	#5
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	Many times this type of face deformity is caused by the babies bumping their heads into the walls of the tubs or tanks while they are very young. Breeders oftentimes tint the water with phyto so that the babies can see the walls and not bump into them. They also densely feed rotifers so that the babies don’t have too travel far to find food. Babies will dart at prey and if they hit the wall this is where the deformity happens. __________________ Tank info: 120 gallon 48x30x20 high DT. Clownfish breeding rack in full swing: C-Quest Onyx, Bali Aquarich P1 Picasso + Rod's Onyx, wild percula + Rod's Onyx. Last edited by D-Nak; 02/18/2018 at 12:36 AM.

02/17/2018, 11:49 AM	#6
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I think most deformities we are seeing is due to continuous inbreeding, same as what we see w/ dogs or any other animals. I think there is a lack of care or understanding from too many backyard breeders. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

02/17/2018, 03:37 AM	#3
Asfur Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Somerset West, South Africa Posts: 108	What causes the deformities, water parameters or as a result of genetics?

03/09/2018, 11:26 AM	#7
j.falk Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 632	SOLVED. I figured out what it was. What I thought was her mouth hanging open actually turned out to be new dark coloring on the area underneath her lips. I didn't realize this until yesterday when I saw her yawn and noticed that it was just coloration and not her actual mouth hanging open. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions/advice. I appreciate it.