help! marron clown with bubble coming out of gill

[cl2ysta1]

I'm a bit stumped on this as I have never seen anything like it. I searched all over and the only info I could find on air bubbles seemed to deal with puffers. I woke up this morning to find my male Gold Stripe Maroon clown had what appeared to be an air sac coming out of his gill! I have no idea what it is or what to do so I came to you guys for help. I have checked all of my water parameters and nothing seems out of whack. The other fish all seem fine. He seems to be breathing normally and acting normally, but didn't want to eat large pieces of flake food. He only ate a few small pieces. I have attached some pictures. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Crystal

[leebca]

Does the fish feed on flakes on the water's surface? Many marine fishes are not used to eating floating foods and take in unneeded air. They are not particularly good at handling/processing the food from the air and eventually one or two develop some strange air-related issues.

A bacterial or viral infection is not likely considering there doesn't seem to be any other symptoms. I would doubt but not rule out the work of a parasite or pathogen, especially if this is not abnormally 'gulped air.'

At this point I would monitor the fish closely. Make sure the female doesn't stress it out and that the fish is not bothered by other fishes. Determine whether or not the 'bubble' is getting larger or smaller over time. If it is increasing in size, it will need to be broken with a syringe needle.

Keep us informed.

[cl2ysta1]

well the bubble popped by itself yesterday. He never feeds off of the surface. He still seems to be acting quite normally, and eats here and there. I am not seeing any other marks on his body or anything out of the ordinary. I'll continue to moniter him.

thanks!