Wounds on Foxface!!??

[returnofsid]

Hi all, especially Lee.

I'm hoping to get some help with this, as soon as possible.

I just noticed that my Foxface was hovering, in the bottom, front corner of my tank. Upon further inspection, I find 3 serious looking wounds on it's side. In order to get photos, I fed Red Marine Algae, and it eats just as pig like as always.

Tank mates include:
Pair of B/W Occellaris
Red Headed Solon Fairy Wrasse
Atlantic Blue Tang (Introduced on 3/24/10)
Tomini Tang (Has been with with the Foxface for months)

The tank is a 200 Gallon Deep Dimension 48"X36(front to back)X27"Deep (Full Reef)

I can only assume that this damage was inflicted by one of the Tangs. In observing the tank, I've never seen any aggressiveness between either Tang and the Foxface. The day I introduced the Atlantic Blue Tang, there was some serious aggressiveness between it and the Tomini Tang. However, that lasted about an hour or so. I haven't witnessed any aggression between any of the fish since.

I feed dried Red Algae, dried Green Algae and live Ulva, that grows in my refugium. I feed the herbivores 3-4 times daily. They also get Rod's Food Herbivore Diet, every other day, along with the Algae feedings. When I feed, all 3 eat, together, and show no aggression towards one another. Once in awhile, when eating, I will see the Foxface extend it's dorsal spines, towards other fish, but very seldom.

Here's pics. In the first picture, there appears to be a small wound under the left eye, as well, though I don't see this injury by eye, when inspecting the fish. Please excuse dirty glass. Any suggestions on how to treat this fish?

 

[bigblue141]

The wounds look like they came from the tail end of a tang. (I just recently introduced a purple tang) and he got a couple of good whacks on my yellow tang. Wounds look similar and they healed up with no signs of it ever being there within a week.

 

[fishoutofwater]

I second that. It looks like tang battle wounds. Should heal up.

 

[krisfal]

I agree those wounds are likely from a tang. If it was me I would do a large WC to ensure good quality water to help prevent infection, and be prepared with antibiotics and QT if needed. Lee typically recommends Maracyn II for Saltwater Fish.

The fish looks really healthy with lots of fat reserve so hopefully will heal up real soon. Since he is eating well I suspect the hovering in front of the tank has more to do with sulking/intimidation from having his but kicked rather than the seriousness of the wounds.

 

[returnofsid]

Foxface is healing nicely!!

 

[reef18ster]

Hence the name Surgeon fish. They can really cut it up! The placement of the wounds is fairly odd. Either the Foxface or the Tang was in a vertical position when the attack occurred.