Wounds on Foxface!!??

[returnofsid]

I'm hoping to get some help with this, as soon as possible.

I just noticed that my Foxface was hovering, in the bottom, front corner of my tank. Upon further inspection, I find 3 serious looking wounds on it's side. In order to get photos, I fed Red Marine Algae, and it eats just as pig like as always.

Tank mates include:
Pair of B/W Occellaris
Red Headed Solon Fairy Wrasse
Atlantic Blue Tang (Introduced on 3/24/10)
Tomini Tang (Has been with with the Foxface for months)

The tank is a 200 Gallon Deep Dimension 48"X36(front to back)X27"Deep (Full Reef)

I can only assume that this damage was inflicted by one of the Tangs. In observing the tank, I've never seen any aggressiveness between either Tang and the Foxface. The day I introduced the Atlantic Blue Tang, there was some serious aggressiveness between it and the Tomini Tang. However, that lasted about an hour or so. I haven't witnessed any aggression between any of the fish since.

I feed dried Red Algae, dried Green Algae and live Ulva, that grows in my refugium. I feed the herbivores 3-4 times daily. They also get Rod's Food Herbivore Diet, every other day, along with the Algae feedings. When I feed, all 3 eat, together, and show no aggression towards one another. Once in awhile, when eating, I will see the Foxface extend it's dorsal spines, towards other fish, but very seldom.

Here's pics. In the first picture, there appears to be a small wound under the left eye, as well, though I don't see this injury by eye, when inspecting the fish. Please excuse dirty glass. Any suggestions on how to treat this fish?

 

[jascymcl]

Atlantic Blue tang are as agressive as they get. I have one since he was tiny. He has been with me for about 5 years.There is also a 6 or 7 year old blue tang,but he was big when the atlantic blue was introduce, now that they are about the smae size the atlantic bullies the blue.

 

[returnofsid]

From everything I've read, and observed, Atlantic Blue Tangs are typically less agressive than a lot of other tangs, and have a more mellow personality. I've actually researched them quite a bit, in the past year.

I can tell you that the Tomini Tang, despite being smaller, is definitely the dominant tang in my tank. There's not a lot of aggression between them, but it's obvious that they both know that the Tomini is the current boss.

I am prepared to QT, if needed. I plan to observe them all, more carefully, in the next couple of days. If there's any sign that the Foxface is going downhill, or getting bullied, it'll be removed to a QT. At this point, I feel this was an isolated incident though. Right now, all 3 fish are eating together, and behaving themselves, as they usually do.

 

[jaytizzle]

No idea on the cause. Gotta be one of those tangs, though. The wounds don't look to be very fresh. He appears to be healing rather nicely. Keep an eye on them but they may have settled their issues already.