Hippo tang marks

[Kyle_Jamieson_Reef]

I think my hippo tang may have internal parasites, flukes, or maybe some kind of infection. These lesions showed up yesterday and his fin has been up. He’s still grazing fine and I’m not seeing any signs of lethargy but I’d like to put him into QT. Any thoughts on what this might be so I can start appropriate treatment? Thanks in advance.

 

[JumboShrimp]

It’s been many years since I owned one; do they sleep wedged in a rock?

 

[Kyle_Jamieson_Reef]

It’s been many years since I owned one; do they sleep wedged in a rock?

Yes, he goes into a little hole and sleeps basically wedged into a small cave

 

[JumboShrimp]

I thought so. So maybe it’s just bruising from that? (I’m viewing the photo on a phone.)

 

[vetteguy53081]

Need clearer pic of belly but appears to be scratches. They literally nosedive into crevices when startled and it will leave this look of a rash
If scratches- they heal quickly.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I think my hippo tang may have internal parasites, flukes, or maybe some kind of infection. These lesions showed up yesterday and his fin has been up. He’s still grazing fine and I’m not seeing any signs of lethargy but I’d like to put him into QT. Any thoughts on what this might be so I can start appropriate treatment? Thanks in advance.

Yes - a clearer picture or even a short video would help. Small blue tangs tend to get "lumpy bellies" from feeding on a lot of algae, but this also looks like there is some color change as well.

I typically don't think that this species is likely to injure itself in coral caves - that is their normal habitat, and they are very well versed at swimming in and out of tight spots with no injury.

Jay