Dark Spot on Naso Tang (Belly)

[strawberry_reef]

Hey all - little bit of background. I’ve had this guy for about 3(ish) years now. Was in my 90 as a baby, then my 150 once he got bigger, then went into my 180 early this April when I upgraded.

He has always been a great eater, never picked on by other fish/tangs, and is 99.9% peaceful. His RIGHT side is fine (as pictured below).

With that said, I noticed this “dark” spot on his LEFT side/belly today, was not there yesterday. Still eating fine - fed both frozen and nori today, ate like he always does.

Any idea? I was thinking a sting/injury but was not sure. Tank does have a wide variety of corals, but no nems. Thanks in advanced!

 

[MichaelReefer]

@Randy Holmes-Farley

@Jay Hemdal

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all - little bit of background. I’ve had this guy for about 3(ish) years now. Was in my 90 as a baby, then my 150 once he got bigger, then went into my 180 early this April when I upgraded.

He has always been a great eater, never picked on by other fish/tangs, and is 99.9% peaceful. His RIGHT side is fine (as pictured below).

With that said, I noticed this “dark” spot on his LEFT side/belly today, was not there yesterday. Still eating fine - fed both frozen and nori today, ate like he always does.

Any idea? I was thinking a sting/injury but was not sure. Tank does have a wide variety of corals, but no nems. Thanks in advanced!

This is either post injury mark or bacterial. I cant tell the size of the circle but can be a bite mark from a larger fish. My best guess is a bruise from injury and at this point, keep an eye on it for healing and not becoming infected. It would be a good idea to secure a vial of seachem Kanaplex or maracyn 2 in case it becomes infected and would have to be treated in a separate quarantine tank

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

What other fish are in the tank?

Jay

 

[strawberry_reef]

What other fish are in the tank?

Jay

Whitetail kole tang, chocolate tang, hippo tang, borbonius anthias, two frostbite clown fish, swallowtail angel, lamarck angel, wantanabei angel, twospot hog fish.

He is the largest fish in the tank, besides the wantanabei angel (who is also a model citizen). Nothing has ever shown aggression towards him that I have ever seen in the last three years. He usually keeps to himself or swims around with the hippo.

 

[strawberry_reef]

This is either post injury mark or bacterial. I cant tell the size of the circle but can be a bite mark from a larger fish. My best guess is a bruise from injury and at this point, keep an eye on it for healing and not becoming infected. It would be a good idea to secure a vial of seachem Kanaplex or maracyn 2 in case it becomes infected and would have to be treated in a separate quarantine tank

Thank you, sir! Going to keep an eye on things over the next few days and see if it heals up. If it doesn’t I’m gonna pull him for QT.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thank you, sir! Going to keep an eye on things over the next few days and see if it heals up. If it doesn’t I’m gonna pull him for QT.

wantanabei has a small mouth. Keep an eye also for aggressive tankmates if any especially at feeding time.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Whitetail kole tang, chocolate tang, hippo tang, borbonius anthias, two frostbite clown fish, swallowtail angel, lamarck angel, wantanabei angel, twospot hog fish.

He is the largest fish in the tank, besides the wantanabei angel (who is also a model citizen). Nothing has ever shown aggression towards him that I have ever seen in the last three years. He usually keeps to himself or swims around with the hippo.

OK, I was just looking for something that could have attacked it. Nothing of note there.
Jay

 

[strawberry_reef]

Small update: the spot looks a bit smaller, and he smashed both frozen and pellets today (per usual). Giving it another 2 days to see if it goes away before I decide to QT.

 

[strawberry_reef]

UPDATE: naso has fully healed (as of Wednesday, so roughly 5-6 days to fully heal).

I am convinced it was a sting at this point.