HELP please, Kole tang got a nasty cut

[Kostas]

Ok so not quite sure how, but I noticed that my kole tang fish has a little cut near its caudal fin.

I was feeding him tonight and he was fine, leave the room for 5min come back and notice it and he has been acting very odd, almost trying to get my attention swimming back and forth a lot (also his color is off a bit)

Right away I notice this cut that looks like a flap of scale that won’t close or didn’t get pealed off kind of like a sliver???

But then on his other side he has a small cut on the same spot, almost it like he got slashed?

Now will this get infected?
Do these things heal fast?
Should I treat him?

I’d love any information or suggestions…


Left side


zoom in of left side


bad photo of the small cut on the right side

[Keri]

"Just like the other surgeons, the Kole tang has a “scalpel” (a sharp spine) at the base of its tailfin which is used for protection and to establish dominance. When the spine is not in use, the Kole tang will keep it folded down inside a groove. "

Looks like he was fighting with someone or maybe was caught in a net? Is he new? Are you sure it's a cut not just the spine being erected?
What are your water parameters? Good water and good food is your best bet, it should heal on it's own (if it is indeed a wound) as long as it doesn't get infected. It wouldn't hurt to soak his food in fresh garlic for an hour or so before you give it to him to boost his immune system.
If he is erecting his spine try to observe who he has a problem with in the tank.



Can you see where this tang hides his spines?



none of these are my pics by the way but I hope it helps.

The left side does look a little damaged under that scalpel.

[Kostas]

Thank you very much Keri, I really appreciate the photos

I’ve had him for almost 2months now, and I never noticed that before on him…only other tank mates in my 90g are two tomato clowns that host in a LTA. – I don’t think they fight, but the clowns are more aggressive eaters.
My water parameters are good
Ammonia – 0
Nitrate- 0
Nitrite- 0
PH- this test kit doesn’t work so not sure, but I think my sand acts like a ph buffer.
Salinity- 1 025
When I bought the fish they also sold me Garlic Xtreme and told me to put a drop in his food each day.

I’m starting to think it is not a cut and maybe its erecting his spin, I guess I’ll just keep an eye on him, I worry since I have a lot of live rock pushed against the back wall and he somehow try’s to squeeze himself between them to swim by and don’t want this spine to get caught on the live rock

[naesco]

Kostos, Kerri is right on.\
However, if on close examinaion you think he may have damaged himself, soak you food in selcon for a few days with the garlic extreme rather than the drop. It acts to prevent a fungal infection.