Small Yellow Tang Open Wound

[Nate_cw]

Hi everyone,

This morning I found my small yellow tang with a pretty serious open wound, it looks like part of his guts might be hanging out. Strangely, he’s still swimming around and eating normally, which I didn’t expect given how bad the injury looks. I suspect one of my other tangs may have done this overnight.

I’ve just moved him into a large breeding box within the main tank to isolate him, but I’m not sure what else I should be doing. Is there anything I can do to help the wound heal, or is this kind of injury usually not survivable? I haven’t medicated the tank or anything yet.

Would really appreciate any advice on what steps to take next. I will attach pictures here.

Thanks in advance.
Nathan

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi everyone,

This morning I found my small yellow tang with a pretty serious open wound, it looks like part of his guts might be hanging out. Strangely, he’s still swimming around and eating normally, which I didn’t expect given how bad the injury looks. I suspect one of my other tangs may have done this overnight.

I’ve just moved him into a large breeding box within the main tank to isolate him, but I’m not sure what else I should be doing. Is there anything I can do to help the wound heal, or is this kind of injury usually not survivable? I haven’t medicated the tank or anything yet.

Would really appreciate any advice on what steps to take next. I will attach pictures here.

Thanks in advance.
Nathan

Typically wounds like these heal on their own but Im concerned of the redness in the area and you can keep an eye on it or add ruby rally pro to prevent infection which is invert and coral safe Or place it in a separate tank and treat with seachem Neoplex with added aeration using air stone

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi everyone,

This morning I found my small yellow tang with a pretty serious open wound, it looks like part of his guts might be hanging out. Strangely, he’s still swimming around and eating normally, which I didn’t expect given how bad the injury looks. I suspect one of my other tangs may have done this overnight.

I’ve just moved him into a large breeding box within the main tank to isolate him, but I’m not sure what else I should be doing. Is there anything I can do to help the wound heal, or is this kind of injury usually not survivable? I haven’t medicated the tank or anything yet.

Would really appreciate any advice on what steps to take next. I will attach pictures here.

Thanks in advance.
Nathan

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Yes, that is likely an injury from one of the other tangs (what species/sizes do you have?). I can't tell if the wound involves the abdomen or just muscle tissue - the location is right on the line. If the abdominal cavity has been pierced, peritonitis will likely result and that is difficult/impossible to treat. If it just involves muscle tissue, it will most likely heal on its own.

Be sure that it eats well enough while in the isolation container.

 

[Nate_cw]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Yes, that is likely an injury from one of the other tangs (what species/sizes do you have?). I can't tell if the wound involves the abdomen or just muscle tissue - the location is right on the line. If the abdominal cavity has been pierced, peritonitis will likely result and that is difficult/impossible to treat. If it just involves muscle tissue, it will most likely heal on its own.

Be sure that it eats well enough while in the isolation container.

Thanks, Jay I really appreciate your input.

In terms of tankmates, I’ve got a gem tang (around 10cm), a purple tang (~7cm), and the yellow tang (~6cm). I added all three together just four days ago, so there’s definitely some new social dynamics at play.

I also have a blue tang that’s been with me for about two months, but it’s really small, only around 3cm, so I doubt it was involved.

Thankfully, the yellow tang is still active and eating well in the isolation box, so I’ll keep a close eye on water quality and his behaviour.

Thanks again for the guidance!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks, Jay I really appreciate your input.

In terms of tankmates, I’ve got a gem tang (around 10cm), a purple tang (~7cm), and the yellow tang (~6cm). I added all three together just four days ago, so there’s definitely some new social dynamics at play.

I also have a blue tang that’s been with me for about two months, but it’s really small, only around 3cm, so I doubt it was involved.

Thankfully, the yellow tang is still active and eating well in the isolation box, so I’ll keep a close eye on water quality and his behaviour.

Thanks again for the guidance!

With mixed tangs, this will happen with any especially from tail strikes. I have 27 tangs and with a number of tangs, this will happen occasionally when unexpected

 

[OrionN]

Gem and Purple are both aggressive fish and fully capable to inflict that sort of damage to a smaller fish. Best of luck with him. My Convict occasional is on the receiving end of a tail spike, but never to the point of bowel hanging out.

 

[W31Olds]

I never knew how powerful Tail Strikes are until my 4" Hippo decided he no longer would tolerate my plastic grabber tongs in my Tank. He gets riled up and hits it and you can hear/ feel the smack.