Scales missing on flame back angel

[AlexT0599]

Hey everyone, I just noticed a lot of scales on my flame back angel missing and I’m not sure whether it could be from him squeezing between rocks or if he could be fighting with one of my other fish. I just need a second opinion and I appreciate the help!

 

[MnFish1]

Scales missing is often an injury. Putting a fish in a net is one of those things that can do it. (no offense) - can you post a picture of the fish swimming under white light? it could be trauma - it could be anything. More history (how old, any symptoms, etc etc etc)

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone, I just noticed a lot of scales on my flame back angel missing and I’m not sure whether it could be from him squeezing between rocks or if he could be fighting with one of my other fish. I just need a second opinion and I appreciate the help!

This is a product of one of the occupants battering this fish and fish needs to be isolated ASAP for best chance of healing and recovery. What other fish are in the tank with it.
This has potential to heal on its own, however to assure reduced infection probability and healing, add at minimum Ruby rally pro or more effective - seachem neoplex or tri-sulfa

 

[AlexT0599]

This is a product of one of the occupants battering this fish and fish needs to be isolated ASAP for best chance of healing and recovery. What other fish are in the tank with it.
This has potential to heal on its own, however to assure reduced infection probability and healing, add at minimum Ruby rally pro or more effective - seachem neoplex or tri-sulfa

Can I get one be of those hang on the side baskets to isolate him with? And also I have 2 clown fish a royal gramma and a blue hippo tang but the tang is in QT. Can I treat him in my DT or do I need a QT to treat him?

 

[AlexT0599]

Scales missing is often an injury. Putting a fish in a net is one of those things that can do it. (no offense) - can you post a picture of the fish swimming under white light? it could be trauma - it could be anything. More history (how old, any symptoms, etc etc etc)

That is the first time I netted him, I’m not sure of his exact age. And as of a couple hours ago he has started hiding more. And just a minute ago I witnessed him just sitting straight up and not swimming. but yesterday and earlier this morning he was fine and swimming around like normal. And this is the best picture I could get.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Can I get one be of those hang on the side baskets to isolate him with? And also I have 2 clown fish a royal gramma and a blue hippo tang but the tang is in QT. Can I treat him in my DT or do I need a QT to treat him?

Youre referring to an acclimation box. It would work but can also cause damage if the fish gets startled but if room enough would work

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey everyone, I just noticed a lot of scales on my flame back angel missing and I’m not sure whether it could be from him squeezing between rocks or if he could be fighting with one of my other fish. I just need a second opinion and I appreciate the help!

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

How long have you owned this fish?
Are these damaged areas on both sides of the fish or just its right side?

None of the fish in your tank are real aggressive, I’m trying to rule out a disease called Uronema.

 

[AlexT0599]

He is not looking too good right now

 

[AlexT0599]

He is not looking too good right now

Welcome to Reef2Reef.

How long have you owned this fish?
Are these damaged areas on both sides of the fish or just its right side?

None of the fish in your tank are real aggressive, I’m trying to rule out a disease called Uronema.

I’ve only had him since Friday and it seems to be on both sides of him

 

[AlexT0599]

I have him in a acclimation box and he is just laying there but here are some pictures under white light

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have him in a acclimation box and he is just laying there but here are some pictures under white light

Ugh - when a fish has lost that many scales, they cannot keep their blood at the proper salinity and usually die. Given it being on both sides and how large the lesions are, I think I would rule out Uronema, and just go back with some sort of serious aggression problem - sorry!

 

[AlexT0599]

Ugh - when a fish has lost that many scales, they cannot keep their blood at the proper salinity and usually die. Given it being on both sides and how large the lesions are, I think I would rule out Uronema, and just go back with some sort of serious aggression problem - sorry!

Yes, unfortunately he passed, and I asked my girlfriend and she said she seen him and my royal gramma “acting weird and running into each other” so I’m assuming it was them fighting but the royal gramma is fine and shows no signs of injury.

 

[KrisReef]

Yes, unfortunately he passed, and I asked my girlfriend and she said she seen him and my royal gramma “acting weird and running into each other” so I’m assuming it was them fighting but the royal gramma is fine and shows no signs of injury.

The killings may not stop?

The capacity for fish is possibly now limited by the Royal (PITA) grammA’s decision that it requires more room in order to be comfortable in the tank.

I would watch the situation closely and hopefully the aggression has stopped.

If you want more fish it may be time to rehome the gramma to avoid casualties?

 

[AlexT0599]

The killings may not stop?

The capacity for fish is possibly now limited by the Royal (PITA) grammA’s decision that it requires more room in order to be comfortable in the tank.

I would watch the situation closely and hopefully the aggression has stopped.

If you want more fish it may be time to rehome the gramma to avoid casualties?

I just bought a 65 gallon AIO water box, im just waiting on my stand before I set it up so maybe that will help since it will be about 20 more gallons for them.

I notice that my royal gramma is starting to hide which is unusual for him, he is usually out and about during the day is this something I should be worried about? Or could it just be him getting situated again?

Also could it have been that they were trying to occupy the same spot?

 

[Uncle99]

Sometimes fights happen right away.
Sometimes they happen down the road.
Every time hierarchy changes, the risk is possible.
Just watch carefully right now to see where this is going….if anywhere.

 

[KrisReef]

I just bought a 65 gallon AIO water box, im just waiting on my stand before I set it up so maybe that will help since it will be about 20 more gallons for them.

I notice that my royal gramma is starting to hide which is unusual for him, he is usually out and about during the day is this something I should be worried about? Or could it just be him getting situated again?

Also could it have been that they were trying to occupy the same spot?

Fighting for territory is the story of life on the planet. When the resources are scarce ( in this case the swimming area in the tank) the natural instincts of the creatures is to fight for ownership and control over the space.

Natural reefs have lots more space but the fish there will also compete with all comers to keep the space they call home. I had a trigger fish crash so violently into my head when I swam into its spot that I thought I had snorkeled head first into a rock. I was startled and I looked up expecting to see a reef and I was surrounded by water in the shallow near shore area.

 

[AlexT0599]

my royal gramma unfortunately didn’t make it either, but I never noticed anything wrong physically until I found him this morning. I thought it was all one sided. But I found him like this when I woke up any ideas as to why his scales are now missing or maybe I just missed the spots when I inspected him?
When I found him my cleaner shrimp was some what aggressively cleaning his gills, maybe it was something in his gills?
I checked his mouth and everything looked fine so im not sure

 

[MnFish1]

my royal gramma unfortunately didn’t make it either, but I never noticed anything wrong physically until I found him this morning. I thought it was all one sided. But I found him like this when I woke up any ideas as to why his scales are now missing or maybe I just missed the spots when I inspected him?
When I found him my cleaner shrimp was some what aggressively cleaning his gills, maybe it was something in his gills?
I checked his mouth and everything looked fine so im not sure

IMHO - this suggests a disease or toxin issue.

 

[MnFish1]

PS - sorry to hear

 

[Uncle99]

my royal gramma unfortunately didn’t make it either, but I never noticed anything wrong physically until I found him this morning. I thought it was all one sided. But I found him like this when I woke up any ideas as to why his scales are now missing or maybe I just missed the spots when I inspected him?
When I found him my cleaner shrimp was some what aggressively cleaning his gills, maybe it was something in his gills?
I checked his mouth and everything looked fine so im not sure

Sorry for your two losses.
Two at once, and both loss?
Maybe keep a close eye on possible parasite infection to be safe.