Young Bristletooth Tang Injury

[Tnops]

I’ve just noticed that my bristletooth tang had gotten an injury right next to its pelvic fin. I’m not sure who or what did this. It is still eating and behaving normally as of now.

Tank mates:
-2 Clarkii clowns (both smaller than the tang)
-1 firefish
-1 midas blenny
-1 tiger pistol shrimp
-1 skunk cleaner shrimp

Should I do anything or just let it heal on its own?

 

[Karen00]

Ouch. That looks a little nasty. Let's get you some help from the pros. @vetteguy53081 @Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

While that does seem superficial, if the injury breaches the gut, the fish won't likely survive (peritonitis is really serious). Do you have an sense how deep the injury is? Tough to see in the photo.

Most fish can fend off a minor skin wound, just watch for signs of infection; the spot growing larger, deeper, increased redness. You might need to more it to a treatment tank and dose with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic then.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is " call it a Rash" from scraping.
One great thing about saltwater fish is their ability to heal and heal quickly. No need to add anything at this time, but rather keep an eye on it. As long as not raw flesh, should heal.
You can acquire seachem Kanaplex or Ruby Rally pro to have on hand just in case
Assure water quality and diet is good.
Recommended tang foods:
-Spirulina brine shrimp
- LRS Herbivore diet
- mysis shrimp
- small plankton
- Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
- Hikari Marine cuisine
- Formula 2 flake and frozen
- Hikari veggie marine

Add selcon vitamins to the foods 2-3X per week and on alternating days, garlic extract for stamina and immunity health

 

[Tnops]

While that does seem superficial, if the injury breaches the gut, the fish won't likely survive (peritonitis is really serious). Do you have an sense how deep the injury is? Tough to see in the photo.

Most fish can fend off a minor skin wound, just watch for signs of infection; the spot growing larger, deeper, increased redness. You might need to more it to a treatment tank and dose with a broad spectrum, gram negative antibiotic then.

Jay

It seems to be on the surface on the skin but has a weird fleshy texture to it. I’ll treat it if it comes worse

 

[Tnops]

This is " call it a Rash" from scraping.
One great thing about saltwater fish is their ability to heal and heal quickly. No need to add anything at this time, but rather keep an eye on it. As long as not raw flesh, should heal.
You can acquire seachem Kanaplex or Ruby Rally pro to have on hand just in case
Assure water quality and diet is good.
Recommended tang foods:
-Spirulina brine shrimp
- LRS Herbivore diet
- mysis shrimp
- small plankton
- Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
- Hikari Marine cuisine
- Formula 2 flake and frozen
- Hikari veggie marine

Add selcon vitamins to the foods 2-3X per week and on alternating days, garlic extract for stamina and immunity health

I add selcon to frozen every day so diet should be covered

 

[vetteguy53081]

I add selcon to frozen every day so diet should be covered

Selcon does not cover diet but rather adds vitality to fish health.
Its a herbivore and must have proper foods or HLLE and other issues will develop

 

[Tnops]

Selcon does not cover diet but rather adds vitality to fish health.
Its a herbivore and must have proper foods or HLLE and other issues will develop

Yea I’m aware of this, I feed spirulina brine and algae wafers. Planning on offering nori when I’m not lazy haha

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yea I’m aware of this, I feed spirulina brine and algae wafers. Planning on offering nori when I’m not lazy haha

This is and trust me an inadequate diet. I am known to have many tangs and they MUST have more than wafers and nori.

Mine under proper diet. I have 18 tangs total :

 

[Tnops]

This is and trust me an inadequate diet. I am known to have many tangs and they MUST have more than wafers and nori.

Mine under proper diet. I have 18 tangs total :

What do you feed them?

 

[vetteguy53081]

What do you feed them?

Everything I listed twice for you. Here are some - SOME of my other foods:

 

[Tnops]

Everything I listed twice for you. Here are some - SOME of my other foods:

What other products would you say is necessary for me to have?

 

[ApoIsland]

What other products would you say is necessary for me to have?

For the last 9 years I have fed nothing but regular mysis and PE mysis to my tangs and all other fish. They get to eat some algae off the rockwork (was 120g, now 90g) but that's it. Currently going on 10 years with the yellow tang and 7 years with the blue.

 

[vetteguy53081]

What other products would you say is necessary for me to have?

-Spirulina brine shrimp
- LRS Herbivore diet
- mysis shrimp
- small plankton
- Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
- Hikari Marine cuisine
- Formula 2 flake and frozen
- Hikari veggie marine