Hippo Tang with abrasions

[Steven9194]

First time owning a hippo tang. Brought it home about a week ago. It’s pretty much been hiding in this little hole in the rocks every day until yesterday. Yesterday it started to come out and swim throughout the tank. Today I noticed these abrasions on its side. I’m guessing it’s from hiding and rubbing in the rocks, but figured I’d check here.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

First time owning a hippo tang. Brought it home about a week ago. It’s pretty much been hiding in this little hole in the rocks every day until yesterday. Yesterday it started to come out and swim throughout the tank. Today I noticed these abrasions on its side. I’m guessing it’s from hiding and rubbing in the rocks, but figured I’d check here.

No, that’s not from rubbing on rocks - remember these fish have developed to living in sharp coral branches out on the reef, they are adapted not to get scraped up.
This is a bacterial infection. If it is growing larger day to day, you would need to move the fish to a treatment tank and dose with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic - tough to do, I know.

Jay

 

[Steven9194]

No, that’s not from rubbing on rocks - remember these fish have developed to living in sharp coral branches out on the reef, they are adapted not to get scraped up.
This is a bacterial infection. If it is growing larger day to day, you would need to move the fish to a treatment tank and dose with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic - tough to do, I know.

Jay

Woke up today and the fish already passed
guess I didn’t catch it quick enough. I have the items coming in this week, so I’ll be ready if this happens again.