coral beauty angel

[tboone72]

I noticed today, and it was not present yesterday some marks on the angel on one side of the body, top dorsal and some of the body. It almost looks like damage torn missing scales? I have pictures, the best I can get. looking from the otherside it is thin and more light can be seen. (Not much) I have had the current stocking for about 6 months in my 55gallon with lots of rock. Parmas are fine even less than 5 nitrates readable. I have seen minor marks similar to this on this fish before. Only near the dorsal. Rock scrapes while resting? Or fish attack only damaging one side of body? Or some off on sickness I have no clue about. Please advise me. Thanks

 

[trigger40]

what other fish are in the tank?

 

[tboone72]

Yellow coris wrasse, pair of oc. Clowns, starry blenny, green chromis, emerald crab, cleaner shrimp.

 

[tboone72]

And I just looked hard again and a flapping thing in the area, like a scale, 2-3 mm in size.

 

[trigger40]

im going to gess a type of worm or the clowns. i dont have a very good answer but im shure some one else does

 

[beth]

Your pic is not very good but my educated guess would be aggression.

 

[tboone72]

It's weird, I sit in my recliner and can see the tank in the dining room and the tv in the living room and while I am here I never see any agression. Considering the angel is the biggest fish I am puzzled as who could do this much damage. The starry blenny has the biggest mouth but he is not bold. Should I be concerned by the damage as far as healing? Special pre caution to take in these cases? Or just watch the fish for now?

 

[trigger40]

it would be the clowns that are aggressive

 

[tboone72]

That surprises me. But I have noticed the male clown will nip me if I place my hand near there sleeping spot. So maybe the angel wanders over there and bam. I'll watch closer.

 

[kopczynski]

Could be the emerald crab if he doesn't get enough food.

 

[tboone72]

I thought of that and brought it up at my next visit to the lfs and they whole heartedly believe that crab could cause no harm. I have some excess micro algae and to few of clean up crew. I've not seen the crab get defensive/aggressive (claws up) except to me.

 

[aduvall]

Emerald clowns are oporotunistic eaters. They'll do damage if something is sick or dying ... Or slow.

Starry bennies can be teritorial, I've seen it with my own eyes. And honestly clowns can be extremely aggresive.

 

[beth]

Its one of the other fish and it doesn't matter how big the fish is nor how small the aggressor is. Size is not the determining factor when it comes to fish in a fish tank. You should separate the fish out of the tank.

 

[tboone72]

The area already looks better fed a little extra today.

 

[trigger40]

feeding more could be a solution.