Hippo tang stung by bristleworm

[Hockeypunk1]

It appears my juvenile hippo tang came in close contact with a bristleworm or fireworm. He looks like he was stung by a porcupine. Has anyone else ever seen or experienced this? I don't think there is anything I can do. I feel bad for him but he seems fine. I took about 20 pictures in order to get this shot. Zoom in at the base of the tail and you'll be able to see the bristles

 

[Big G]

Yep. Happens a lot more than you think. Good healthy food and pristine water conditions will help the fish's immune system. Keep an eye out for a bacterial infection from the insertion points and keep some antibiotics on hand like Kanaplex or Furan2 just in case. Some have also used a bath in an acriflavine product like Ruby Reef Rally to help fish recover from a variety of injuries. It has both antiseptic and antibiotic qualities to help fish recover.

 

[Hockeypunk1]

Yep. Happens a lot more than you think. Good healthy food and pristine water conditions will help the fish's immune system. Keep an eye out for a bacterial infection from the insertion points and keep some antibiotics on hand like Kanaplex or Furan2 just in case. Some have also used a bath in an acriflavine product like Ruby Reef Rally to help fish recover from a variety of injuries. It has both antiseptic and antibiotic qualities to help fish recover.

Thanks for all the info! I've had fish cut themselves on the rocks and vermatids but never a bristleworm sting.

 

[4FordFamily]

Hard to tell from the photo if a bristle worm was the culprit, but if it is @Big G is spot on.

 

[wowkingjames]

Thanks for the info. too.

 

[Hockeypunk1]

Hard to tell from the photo if a bristle worm was the culprit, but if it is @Big G is spot on.

He really didn't want his picture taken. I'm sure it was a bristleworm or fireworm I could clearly see all the individual spines stuck in his side just above the tail