Strange growth on damselfish head

[rr07]

What are the white growths on the head of this sprigeri damsel? Is he sick and could it be some kind of fungal infection?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

What are the white growths on the head of this sprigeri damsel? Is he sick and could it be some kind of fungal infection?

True external fungal infections are rare in marine fish.

Tough to say what's going on here - this looks like mucus, produced by the fish as a reaction to some stressor - physical abrasion for example.

The fish doesn't look to have any other secondary symptoms.

How long has it had this issue?

 

[rr07]

What are the white growths on the head of this sprigeri damsel? Is he sick and could it be some kind of fungal infection?

True external fungal infections are rare in marine fish.

Tough to say what's going on here - this looks like mucus, produced by the fish as a reaction to some stressor - physical abrasion for example.

The fish doesn't look to have any other secondary symptoms.

How long has it had this issue?

It’s had the issue for a few weeks, there’s a clownfish in the tank who he picks at. It might be because they are fighting

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It’s had the issue for a few weeks, there’s a clownfish in the tank who he picks at. It might be because they are fighting

Yes, it very easily could be from fighting - you may never see actual direct contact, but the results of it like this. Any way you can put a tank divider in the tank?

 

[rr07]

It’s had the issue for a few weeks, there’s a clownfish in the tank who he picks at. It might be because they are fighting

Yes, it very easily could be from fighting - you may never see actual direct contact, but the results of it like this. Any way you can put a tank divider in the tank?

I did, they seem to be getting better. Thank you