Can a Yellow Tang cut a fish with it's spine?

[iamwhatiam52]

I have a large female Ocellaris clown that just got a perfect clean cut on its side, 1/4 inch long and 1/16 deep. Looks like a razor cut. I can't get a pic. It cannot be a bite, and I seriously doubt it could be from a scrape against coral.

I suspect the tang because there is nothing else in the tank that I think could cause this kind of cut. No aggressive fish, no dangerous crabs or mantis shrimp, and the largest fish in the tank besides the tang is a 2" Singapore Angel.

For nearly two years now, the yellow tang has frequented the area around the clowns anemone and nesting location so they are constantly in close quarters, mostly with no problems. On occasion, the tang gets too close to the eggs and momentary threats are exchanged.

Could a tang do this?

I do not fear a recurring problem, no relocation is intended, I just want to know if it is possible.

 

[AuroraDrvr]

Sounds like a tang wound.

 

[mrwilson]

Definitely possible, and judging from all the evidence you've shared, I'd say probable. That's what those tang scalpels are for.

 

[Untamed12]

Absolutely. Very effective weapons.

 

[joejoe1055]

it was the tang, a friend of mine got his finger sliced once by one

 

[iamwhatiam52]

Thanks all.
I suspected as much.
Big Momma (my female clown) is healing nicely and looks ready to lay another batch of eggs in a day or two.

 

[Greatwyte]

Hence the name surgeonfish.

 

[IFbettas]

Those spines are quite formidable weapons. I hand feed my tangs every now and then, and when the yellow gets scared he sometimes attacks my hand with his scalpel. He hasn't ever drawn blood, it's just annoying.

 

[jhawkor]

Ironically, a few months ago I wittnessed my yellow tang kill my female clown with its spine. So yes it's very possible.

 

[joseines]

If we cut the tang's spine, will they grow back?

 

[small alien]

If we cut the tang's spine, will they grow back?

Don't.:hammer:

 

[davocean]

I learned the hard way when I cornered my kole in a rock trying to catch it a ways back.
Pretty much feels like if you took a razor blade on the end of a rubber band and stretched it hard and snapped it at your finger.
I don't think removing those spines are an option, no...

 

[BANDIT ANGEL]

That's surely a tang wound because my yellow tang killed my flame angel, flameback, rusty angel and a powder blue tang. There wounds look like what you mentioned.

 

[nightOwl]

Definitely a tang wound. Most of the time they are not too deep and heal pretty fast. I feed Selcon and garlic to help with the healing process. I have noticed with the supplements added to the food the cuts seem to heal faster. My tang cuts my female false clown on a regular basis. I noticed the behavior did not start until my clowns were swawning on a regular basis, every 12 to 14 days.

 

[Gogandantess]

it was the tang, a friend of mine got his finger sliced once by one

Yep I've gotten sliced on my hand from trying to slowly grab my orange shoulder tang by hand. It drew blood and surprised me. Learned my lesson about how dangerous Tangs spines are. :fun2: