Jowel Stretching

[ChilliPepper]

My little Blue Acara stretches his jowls occassionally (looks like he's puckering up for a kiss ), just wondered if anyone knows why he is doing it? There's nothing wrong with him, it's quite comical when he does it, but wondered if anyone else with Acaras or GT's have experienced the same thing?

 

[shroob]

Its normal, I think its more commenly called 'yawning'. My oscar does it and my sev used to, plenty of other fish do it too.

 

[minxfishy]

Yeah they do it a lot, my Texas must be bored, cause he does it all the time

 

[ChilliPepper]

Ahhh yawning - yeah makes more sense! It's really funny

 

[Ryan_R]

Totally normal... and funny to watch! If we used our mouth all day just to breath, we'd want to stretch those muscles a bit, too!

When our chocolate cichlid does this, the entire front of his head opens up!

-Ryan

 

[saz326]

If they are yawning lots (& I mean lots!), then it could be a sign of low oxygen in the water. Or even that the flow rate is too high. If flow rate is too high then they will be constantly fighting against it, tiring themselves out and needing more oxygen.

Might be worth checking that when they aren't yawning, they are breathing nice and slowly. If they are breathing quickly then get an air pump into the tank.

.. Would love a photo. Mr bored fish..

Wonder if you have a nice toy he could play with (clean toy car?)

 

[ChilliPepper]

I have an airpump in there already so tank should be fairly well aireated.

He doesn't yawn that often, but it's funny when he does!

 

[Ryan_R]

Fish don't "yawn". Yawning is for critters with lungs. Fish breath by pumping water through their gills... so for fish, yawning would be counter productive because they can't pump water when the mouth is wide open.

-Ryan