Tangs and their scalpels

[Mr_Cool]

What's the deal with the scalpels? I know they get bigger as the fish gets bigger, but are they more pronounced for any reason?

The reason I ask is that my yellow tang (about 5.5-6 in.) and my yellow eye kole tang (about 4.5-5 in) suddenly have their scalpels "protruding" almost all the time. They didn't used to be like that. I noticed the change about a week or so ago.

On one hand, one might think it's a good thing and that they are just very healthy. On the other hand, though, maybe it's a sign that they are not in good shape and they are trying to protect themselves. They both look good, though.

On a side note, they never fight with each other or bother any of the other fish. In fact, they usually go and hide when I walk into the room. But, when I sit down to watch them, they come right back out. The yellow eye likes to swim like a maniac from one end of the tank to the other. He takes off from one end and then just change directions and go the other way or dart behind some rocks.

[caferacermike]

I'm wondering if they "never fight" and now have "pronounced" scalpels because they are defending themselves from each other by display? My plecos swim with their "chew chew" (armored cheek bristles) in full display as a warning to all the other plecos in the tank, "Don't mess with me or you'll get this." Even though they should all fight constantly they never do. They all have their place both in territory and dominance in the tank, yet they still do these little displays that they wouldn't do if they were in the tank by themselves.

[Mr_Cool]

Good thought. But, they hang out next to each other in a little cave quite a bit. It's usually when the lights are off, though.

[erikharrison]

Not sure what you mean by them protruding more, my yellow tang's scalpels can always be seen... Pics?

[Mr_Cool]

They used to just stay tucked up next to his body. Same with the yellow eye. Now, they kind of stick out at an angle (maybe 20-30 degrees or so).