HELP IM NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED

[tystxne1]

hello guys Im new here and i was gonna introduce my self in a different section but this just happened today. okay im jesse montano i live in houston texas, im new to the hobby but im a **** junkie lol. anyway i have a 70 gal. bow front tank with a cannister filter, and a plus one protein skimmer. my salinity is at 1.023 and my temp is at 77 -78 range all the time nitrates 0 ph is at 8.1, pretty much everything is prefect on it but i woke up this morning and went to feed the fish and i noticed a bone sticking out of my yellow eyed tang near the tail fin and im kinda panicking. although it doesn't seem to bother her and her tail is still in full use it seems but it almost seems as something may have punctured her, i have an foxface maroon and gold clown a blenny and a damsil. an anemone a leather coral and a potted plant coral and some mushrooms help what could have caused this and is she gonna die. my wife is so up set.

[Kristy]

Hey Jesse, Welcome to MAAST. I think I have some good news for you. All Tangs have that bone , that's why they are called Surgeonfishes, and use it for defense like a blade. In some Tangs you can see it more prominently (like the yellow Tangs) and in others - like the kole Tangs - it us more subtle and harder to notice. They pop it out when they feel threatened. Look at some images online and compare.

[texasaggie]

I believe that tangs have a spine that sticks out at the base of the tail for protection. they will try and slash the other fish with the spike migh be what your seeing. im still new to this hobby to and never owed a tang so dont take my word on it. hopefully someone alse with a little more experience can put some input down also.

[Mike]

+1 on what Kristy said. Be careful, sometimes they can get you with the blade if you are not careful. I swear I have heard one of our tangs say, "I shank you" when they are upset they are not getting enough nori. :D

[Mike]

Oh and welcome to MAAST. Good group of people on here with lots of knowledge. Welcome to the club.

[justahobby]

+3 on it's supposed to be there. Also, your specific gravity (salinity) is low. It should be raised to around 1.0026, a more likely level found on reefs. You will find it easier to maintain proper levels of calcium, alk, etc too.

[jroescher]

Welcome to MAAST Jesse!

[Mr Cob]

yes, Welcome to MAAST! I just got tagged by my yellow tang's spur the other day...first time in 5 years that has ever happened. He didn't eat that day. haha

[Pennies2Cents]

Welcome to Maast! :) Glad we could help ya out...

[tystxne1]

sweet very very good to hear and thanks on the salinity ill slowly let it raise this week. and u guys rock. im gonna post alot of pics and ask alot of questions im sure so bear with me but again thank u guys lol. i wonder why she was stressed? hmm

[allan]

Totally off the record and definitely not verified. Someone can correct me if the know for sure.

I heard that we got the name scalpel from the surgeon fish or tank. Either that or we started calling the spur a scalpel after the one used by surgeons.

Again, just something I heard so it may be false.

[tony]

welcome to maast!!!

[Sherri]

Welcome to MAAST Jesse...glad all is well! :o)