Black Stripe on Gem Tail

[ca1ore]

Gem has developed this curious black ‘stripe’ on its tail. Initially I thought it a tear from bickering, but it’s not. Doesn’t seem to be a darkened blood streak either. In all respects, it’s behaving normally and eating well. Any ideas?

 

[Reefahholic]

Gem has developed this curious black ‘stripe’ on its tail. Initially I thought it a tear from bickering, but it’s not. Doesn’t seem to be a darkened blood streak either. In all respects, it’s behaving normally and eating well. Any ideas?

I’ve never seen nothing like that on a Gem Tang ca1ore. He’s such a beautiful fish. I’m thinking maybe it’s just some color pigment that developed in his tail for some reason. He appears to be very healthy. Probably nothing to worry about. What’s his diet consist of?

 

[Humblefish]

No idea what that is. I would just monitor for now.

If you're really concerned about it... Do you think you could get a scrape of it?

 

[ca1ore]

I’m thinking maybe it’s just some color pigment that developed in his tail for some reason.

That was my thought also; I've just never had that happen with any fish before. It is just like every other zebrasoma I have in that it eats essentially everything I offer including (nori and all frozen).

 

[ca1ore]

Thanks for the replies gents. I plan to just watch for now. I asked here just because of the chance that somebody would say, 'oh yeah, that's ……..' LOL.

 

[ca1ore]

Stripe disappeared after about a week.

 

[Errattiq]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but it appears mine has a similar ailment, I’ll be keeping an eye out to see if it also disappears. Really interested on finding out what this is....

 

[4FordFamily]

Odd, I’ve never seen this in a gem tang. Mine looks the same as when I got him, other than he’s larger and more surly! I’m guessing this fish is fine now. @ca1ore how does it look today?

 

[ca1ore]

Gem is fine; black stripe never reappeared. No idea what it was.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Strange indeed. Kudos on the photos...... You’d be lucky to tell mine is a fish, let-alone a tang from my blurry photos


Edit. A Quoyi Parrot and a Gem. It’s like looking at my tank! Great taste!

 

[ca1ore]

Edit. A Quoyi Parrot and a Gem. It’s like looking at my tank! Great taste!

Unfortunately the quoyi only lasted under my care for about six months. One prior to that made it about six months also. I just cannot get them interested in much beyond pellets, which in a competitive tank isn’t enough to prevent gradual weight loss. I wonder how many actually make it beyond six months in captivity.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Unfortunately the quoyi only lasted under my care for about six months. One prior to that made it about six months also. I just cannot get them interested in much beyond pellets, which in a competitive tank isn’t enough to prevent gradual weight loss. I wonder how many actually make it beyond six months in captivity.

Ouch. I have had mine for about 6 months. eats well