Rabbitfish Tail No Color in Spots

[Huskymaniac]

@Jay Hemdal have you ever seen anything like this. Noticed this on my scribbled Rabbitfish. When the fish goes real yellow the edge of its tail looks like it lacks pigment and it gives it a splotchy appearance. Maybe it's normal, have no idea. Just noticed it. It's basically on the tail edge only from the top to the bottom. There is no slime, redness, or spots. Fish is acting normaly. The only thing I can think of is it likes to sleep in a yellow Fiji Leather and it is somehow related to the coral. Other thing could be that it brushed its tail up against one the gyres or wav pumps. What do you think?

 

[fishguy242]

#fishmedic

 

[vetteguy53081]

@Jay Hemdal have you ever seen anything like this. Noticed this on my scribbled Rabbitfish. When the fish goes real yellow the edge of its tail looks like it lacks pigment and it gives it a splotchy appearance. Maybe it's normal, have no idea. Just noticed it. It's basically on the tail edge only from the top to the bottom. There is no slime, redness, or spots. Fish is acting normaly. The only thing I can think of is it likes to sleep in a yellow Fiji Leather and it is somehow related to the coral. Other thing could be that it brushed its tail up against one the gyres or wav pumps. What do you think?

The tail and anal fin both show either tail or aggression damage. While powerhead/gyre is a possibility, what other fish are in tank and what size tank is this fish in ?
Bacterial also a possibility- has your ammonia and/or nitrate become elevated?

 

[Huskymaniac]

The tail and anal fin both show either tail or aggression damage. While powerhead/gyre is a possibility, what other fish are in tank and what size tank is this fish in ?
Bacterial also a possibility- has your ammonia and/or nitrate become elevated?

Haven't tested ammonia in a decade. Nitrates are kept at 6 with carbon dosing. It's a 200 gallon sps tank. The anal fin in totally normal. Maybe it's the angle at which I took the photo. It's only the edge of the tail from the top of it to the bottom. No fish aggression. Only have an anthias, possum wrasse, assessors, and chromis. What's strange is it just the color. No fraying from damage. No excess mucus or redness from bacteria.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Haven't tested ammonia in a decade. Nitrates are kept at 6 with carbon dosing. It's a 200 gallon sps tank. The anal fin in totally normal. Maybe it's the angle at which I took the photo. It's only the edge of the tail from the top of it to the bottom. No fish aggression. Only have an anthias, possum wrasse, assessors, and chromis. What's strange is it just the color. No fraying from damage. No excess mucus or redness from bacteria.

Something going on as there is evidence of fin ray issue. Often caused by water, diet or injury.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Something going on as there is evidence of fin ray issue. Often caused by water, diet or injury.

The rays are okay. Fins are okay as well. It's just the color. I actually haven't noticed any change over a 48 hour period. You know how clownfish get hypermelanation from sleeping in corals. Can a fish get hypomelanation as well? Only thing that makes sense to me other than the gyre/Wav pump theory. But can an injury just cause color loss without actual damage?

 

[vetteguy53081]

The rays are okay. Fins are okay as well. It's just the color. I actually haven't noticed any change over a 48 hour period. You know how clownfish get hypermelanation from sleeping in corals. Can a fish get hypomelanation as well? Only thing that makes sense to me other than the gyre/Wav pump theory. But can an injury just cause color loss without actual damage?

Yes they can. Often tangs, rabbits and butterflies will get it

 

[Huskymaniac]

Yes they can. Often tangs, rabbits and butterflies will get it

Look how close it's tail gets to the wav pump. Likely culprit?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Look how close it's tail gets to the wav pump. Likely culprit?

Gutsy little fellow

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

+1,looks like minor caudal fin damage to me, either a pump or another fish. I’ve not seen hypermelanization on this species, but I don’t often keep them in reefs, so maybe?
Jay