Bristletooth Tang with spikes out casually

[Spicoli]

Nothing to do here, but my White Tail is cruising around the tank with his spikes out, open carry if you will. The rest of his demeanor is normal, and non-threatening. Is this a thing? I've not seen it before, with this or other tangs.

 

[nereefpat]

Nice white tail!

I don't know, honestly. In the tangs I've kept, it seems to be really random whose spikes stick out and whose don't. Now sometimes, there can be an injury like being caught in a net that causes a spike to stick out. How long have you had it, and has it always been like this?

 

[tbone28]

Interesting, my white tail exhibits the same behavior. Chill as can be but "ready"

 

[Spicoli]

Nice white tail!

I don't know, honestly. In the tangs I've kept, it seems to be really random whose spikes stick out and whose don't. Now sometimes, there can be an injury like being caught in a net that causes a spike to stick out. How long have you had it, and has it always been like this?

I'v had him in DT for a month and in QT for 2 months prior. He always had his blades flat to his body until i noticed this yesterday. He is doing it again today. He had no net damage etc. You can see both sides are sticking out. He just likes to show off I suppose.

 

[OrionN]

I think it is a neurological injury. Mechanical injury will only result in problem of one side or the other. (certainly, extremely rare to nearly non existent rare to happen on both sides at the same time)