Is this an injury?

[Moonrs]

I just notice my clown has a mark on his side that I didn't see before. He's acting normal, however. Does anyone think this could be anything besides a cut that will hopefully heal?

[jaded]

nice photo!!!

it looks like an abbrasion or possibly a bite. feed him well and he should be able to heal himself.

Is he/she in there alone or is there another clown? Are they paired up? If theres another, how long have they been together? Any new fish in the tank?

[scuba_steveo]

do you have a tang?
look like a tang pop. I have two on my hand right now.

[Moonrs]

There is another clown, but it's a false perc, and the clown in the picture will have nothing to do with it. So, unfortunately, they're not paired up, nor will he let the false perc into the other anemone nearby. I do have a yellow tang and a regal tang. I've never noticed them picking on any other fish, but I could've missed it. I'll watch him closely and keep you updated.

[Tim Marvin]

I'd say he scratched a rock. A tang would stick him better than that, I would think. It has been my experience that tangs will usually just scare the fish away or really nail them. I took a shot to the thumb once and it bled like a stuck pig.

[Moonrs]

Thankyou, Tim. I was hoping that folks would tell me that it's probably an injury. I thought someone might tell me it was a tumor or something... I'll be able to breath a tentative sigh of relief. We'll see how he looks tomorrow.

[Tim Marvin]

It should heal within a few days to a week.

[serpinski]

it does appear to be on its lateral line, no? I'd keep a close eye on it for HLLE.

[scuba_steveo]

Fish heal quick from injury if all else is well. I have a wrasse that my lobster to a chuck out of twice, once all the way to the backbone, and it recovered fine and quick both times. Now the lobster is in the fuge!

[Moonrs]

Well, I'm watching the clown, and he still seems to be fine. Still snuggling in his anemone and eating fine. BTW, what's HLLE?

[Polkster13]

Head and Lateral Line Errosion (http://www.ecosystemaquarium.com/html/hlle.html)

[serpinski]

Head Lateral Line Erosion (http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/headlledisease/a/aa040901.htm)

Not trying to freak you out or anything. I'm no vet! Do you have a grounding probe?

[Thunderkat]

Polkster edited:

Head and Lateral Line Errosion (http://www.ecosystemaquarium.com/html/hlle.html)

^_^

[jaded]

that just sounds nasty!!! I think its a great sign that you rlittle guy is acting normally... I'd expect this to heal up fast without any need to do anything special.

[Polkster13]

I finally got mine fixed. Not being able to type too well today! :angry

[Tim Marvin]

I doubt if that is what it is. This is more common in Tangs. Clowns tend to get a decent diet and don't lack vitamin C.

[serpinski]

Polkster13 has a better link.

[CD]

Definitely looks like an injury to me. Just curious...do you have any of those snail type critters in your tank that build those *sharp* little calciferous tubes on the liverock? Darn it...I forget what they're called...they put out the thin little thread of mucus when they are feeding...tube is about 4mm long...? (If somebody remembers the name, help me out here) Anyway, those tubes are pretty sharp (I have gotten cut by one once, and now I really watch out for them). He could've scraped himself on one of those. :unsure

I'd just keep an eye on the wound. If it looks to be getting worse, or isn't healed within a week, you may want to consider the hospital tank with some antibiotics. Most likely it will heal well by itself - the clown looks to be in great health. :)

Wendy

[serpinski]

Vermitid snail?