Russell's lionfish shedding???

[welsher7]

I was looking at my tank today and I saw all my tangs and the tomato clownfish gathering a around my lionfish. I got closer and the other fish were eating what looked like something that was coming off the lionfish. The lionfish allowed the fish to clean him for some time before he scared them away. It looked like a really thin skin that was coming off the pectoral fins and the dorsal spines. The lionfish looks healthy and shows no signs of stress. Does anyone have experience with this??
Also I think my hippo tang got a little to close it has some marks that looks puncture marks maybe from the lionfish.

 

[welsher7]

I just did some research and found my answer. Apparently lionfish have a mucus covering that protects them from parasites and unwanted hitch hikers. Periodically the lionfish will shed this covering. I have seen this mucus in the tank before but never found where it was coming from.

 

[myerst2]

It is common with scorpions. Shedding should only occur maybe 1-2 times a month. If it happens more frequently there is something wrong, i.e. parasites. Tim

 

[FMarini]

Dan--
the skin shedding is normal and important for sedentary predators. As mentioned it prevents unwanted parasites and other debris from settling on a fish. BTW the mucusy-like shed is called a cuticle. Hopefully you found the lionfish info sheet stickied (article on keeping scorpionfish) above to bone up on other scorpionfish husbandry questions

 

[welsher7]

I have read your info sheet on lionfish hundred times. That is what helped me decide to get the smaller Russells lionfish. I must have skipped over that part or just not remembered it. I will go back now reread it. I have only seen the cuticle a couple times in the 11 months that I have had my lionfish. Thanks for the replies. Looks like I have a lot more reading to due. Thanks again.