Weird ring of spots on cowfish

[hazylogic]

This ring of spots showed up in the past hour. Have had him over 5 months. He’s acting normal and eating. We did get an rbta this past weekend. Maybe he got too curious with it?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This ring of spots showed up in the past hour. Have had him over 5 months. He’s acting normal and eating. We did get an rbta this past weekend. Maybe he got too curious with it?

I think key here is how fast it showed up - anemone stings and bristleworm spines do that, while bacterial infections grow more slowly, starting small and gradually growing larger.
Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

I think key here is how fast it showed up - anemone stings and bristleworm spines do that, while bacterial infections grow more slowly, starting small and gradually growing larger.
Jay

Trematodes by chance ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Trematodes by chance ?

Not that I’ve ever seen: instant development and a ring shape doesn’t seem trematode-like to me.
Jay

 

[hazylogic]

It may have been a bristleworm. He looks much better now. The inflammation/white spots are gone, but there’s a few “splinters” sticking out of his face. He has started blowing sand and exploring for food under it the past week.