Looks like a tooth growing out of tangs head

ccombs · Apr 7, 2019

This is an odd question. Have you touched it? Is it hard like a bone or soft and flexible?

Big G · Apr 7, 2019

Looks like that fish is injured. Looks like those are the premaxilla bones protruding from it's skin. Would have been a heck of a collision with a rock or the glass to cause those bones to protrude to the extent they appear.

cracker · Apr 7, 2019

I have absolutely no idea however it does look like a bone shard or such. sorry for the fish but very interesting !
try a fish trap to capture it. iv'e found tangs to be greedy & some food in a trap would be irresistible to the fish .

rcpalmer1 · Apr 7, 2019

I have auto feeders that go off 6 times a day. I was waiting until just before the first one of the day so he will be the hungriest.

MyReefRobbedMe · Apr 7, 2019

Looks like a injury to me . How long have you had him ? If not long Maybe it’s working it’s way out and didn’t notice before? I’m no expert but it looks to thick for parasite. Following along , I’m eager to see what this is

ccombs · Apr 7, 2019

Really long shot here, but there have been medical cases in humans where something caused an extra tooth or bone to grow in the wrong place, I wonder if this might be the case? You might want to reach out to your local aquarium or research institution, they may find this interesting as well.

Manthanol · Apr 7, 2019

ccombs said:
Really long shot here, but there have been medical cases in humans where something caused an extra tooth or bone to grow in the wrong place, I wonder if this might be the case? You might want to reach out to your local aquarium or research institution, they may find this interesting as well.

It's a possibility but the OP mentioned it grew out in one day, and it takes time to grow out a tooth. Truly weird, following.

ccombs · Apr 7, 2019

Manthanol said:
It's a possibility but the OP mentioned it grew out in one day, and it takes time to grow out a tooth. Truly weird, following.

Ah, I forgot that. It was just a random thought that popped into my head with no regard for what information had been discussed lol.

rcpalmer1 · Apr 7, 2019

I have had him almost 2 years. Yesterday there was a big one and a small one . Today I don't see the small one. I almost caught him. I will try again tomorrow.

ccombs · Apr 7, 2019

I wonder if @Humblefish has ever seen anything like it.

rcpalmer1 · Apr 8, 2019

So it has came out.there is a sore where it was. I have no idea what it was or where it came from but he is acting fine.

cracker · Apr 8, 2019

Well that went well ! Still so curious what it was.

reef lover · Apr 8, 2019

Very strange...

rcpalmer1 · Apr 8, 2019

I think I found what it was. I noticed my meat coral shriveled up. Then I noticed a crack in the rock. Then I see one of the pieces of its skeleton sticking out that looked like the tooth stuck in the fangs head. He must of swam into at full speed it impale a piece of skeleton in his head and break the rock. He is acting and eat fine, just has a scare between his eyes. Thanks for all the replies and concern. I had no idea what it was.

Frtdrmrose7 · Apr 8, 2019

rcpalmer1 said:
I think I found what it was. I noticed my meat coral shriveled up. Then I noticed a crack in the rock. Then I see one of the pieces of its skeleton sticking out that looked like the tooth stuck in the fangs head. He must of swam into at full speed it impale a piece of skeleton in his head and break the rock. He is acting and eat fine, just has a scare between his eyes. Thanks for all the replies and concern. I had no idea what it was.

I’m glad you found the cause, now maybe you should get his eyes checked!

kgk · Apr 8, 2019

So your Tang impaled himself on a coral. I've seen Tangs do some impressively stupid things (they love to eat new coral glue! idiots) but that one is new on me....

rcpalmer1 · Apr 8, 2019

kgk said:
So your Tang impaled himself on a coral. I've seen Tangs do some impressively stupid things (they love to eat new coral glue! idiots) but that one is new on me....

About a year ago I had to catch him. He had tried to eat wet glue. He had a big piece stuck to his lip.

saintsreturn · Apr 8, 2019

Wow, keep us posted on his healing and if it shows back up again. Hopefully your root cause is correct and this is the last time you have that type of scare.