Fairy Wrasse sick or just some scale damage?

[Tyler N]

Hey all. I recently added this Fairy Wrasse to my tank, and he darts in and out of rocks a *lot*. Are these spots on his face just slight damage from the rocks or does it look like illness?

Tyler

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey all. I recently added this Fairy Wrasse to my tank, and he darts in and out of rocks a *lot*. Are these spots on his face just slight damage from the rocks or does it look like illness?

Tyler

Looks like result of injury but pic is quite dark to confirm. Please take pics under white lighting

 

[homer1475]

Perhaps an actual picture of the right end might help too.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey all. I recently added this Fairy Wrasse to my tank, and he darts in and out of rocks a *lot*. Are these spots on his face just slight damage from the rocks or does it look like illness?

Tyler

Generally, scrapes will show on a fish at the point on the fish that things hit first - like the mouth or eyes. These spots don’t seem to be in really likely location for injuries…..is the mouth damaged?
+1 on needing clearer pics under white light.
Jay

 

[Tyler N]

Sorry, he is constantly moving around. Turned the white up on my light and these are the best I could grab

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It doesn't look like mechanical damage to me, but it is best not to startle these fish when you fist get them - turn the room light on before the tank light, no sudden movements around the tank, etc.

I don't see any treatable disease here (yet). Is it eating well?

Jay

 

[Tyler N]

It doesn't look like mechanical damage to me, but it is best not to startle these fish when you fist get them - turn the room light on before the tank light, no sudden movements around the tank, etc.

I don't see any treatable disease here (yet). Is it eating well?

Jay

Extremely well. Eats voraciously at every feeding. Seems happy and well adjusted. I'll keep an eye on it Thank you!