Something wrong with Scopas Tang

ClayP · Dec 19, 2022

Greetings,

I'm new to the hobby and learning a lot every day. I am worried about my Scopas Tang. There is a strange (to me) extension from his side near the bottom. I recently added a Light Brown Tang and I've seen him chase the other tangs including the Scopas. This is the only bit of evidence. The fish have been in this tank for 4-5 weeks. If I had to guess, I would say it is a wound of some sorts. The Scopas Tang seems energetic and seems to be eating OK.

Thanks,

Clay

vetteguy53081 · Dec 19, 2022

ClayP said:
Greetings,

I'm new to the hobby and learning a lot every day. I am worried about my Scopas Tang. There is a strange (to me) extension from his side near the bottom. I recently added a Light Brown Tang and I've seen him chase the other tangs including the Scopas. This is the only bit of evidence. The fish have been in this tank for 4-5 weeks. If I had to guess, I would say it is a wound of some sorts. The Scopas Tang seems energetic and seems to be eating OK.

Thanks,

Clay

being a siddish fish, looks like a gash or other injury.
Marine fish tend to heal quickly but keep an eye on it to assure its healing and turning into a bacterial infection. I suggest grabbing either Seachem Kanaplex or Maracyn 22 to have on hand as well as a quarantine tank ( can be as simple as a tank starter kit from walmart which contains most of the essentials) in case an infection develops.

Jay Hemdal · Dec 19, 2022

ClayP said:
Greetings,

I'm new to the hobby and learning a lot every day. I am worried about my Scopas Tang. There is a strange (to me) extension from his side near the bottom. I recently added a Light Brown Tang and I've seen him chase the other tangs including the Scopas. This is the only bit of evidence. The fish have been in this tank for 4-5 weeks. If I had to guess, I would say it is a wound of some sorts. The Scopas Tang seems energetic and seems to be eating OK.

Thanks,

Clay

That is almost assuredly an injury, probably from the other tang. If it breaches the body cavity, serious untreatable infection may set in. Otherwise, it will likely heal on its own, as long as new injuries don't happen.

Jay