Tang - Bone? Spike? WTH?

[pdelcast]

My Kole tang, which I've had for about four months (eats well, a little aggressive but a very good fish all around) suddenly has these bone spikes protruding from in front of his tail, and is acting VERY strangely.
I've never seen anything like this -- and it looks like his skin is damaged around the area.
The spikes are symmetrical on both the left and right side.

Any ideas what the heck this could be?

 

[Recty]

Tangs always have those, sometimes they just dont show them as much as others.

It is a means of defense, it's like a little switchblade they can pop out and attack or defend with.

Something in the tank making him feel threatened?

 

[pdelcast]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13701050#post13701050 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Recty

Something in the tank making him feel threatened?

He acts like he just "noticed" his reflection -- he's been attacking the glass all day.

Perhaps that's it exactly --

 

[mustang2021]

the spine that tangs have is inded a bone and it does not pop out on command or anything like that it is always out but if you notice the way they use this spine is they usually back into there enemy and curl there tail and those pertruding the spike your tangs spike seems nor,al i have seen a few yellow tangs that have the soine clear instad of white which is what your yellow eye seems to have....

 

[stunreefer]

Yep, its their "scalpal."

Thats where the common names "surgeon fish" and "doctor fish" came from

 

[SDguy]

FWIW, I've seen both of my tangs with their scapel "broken" before, and they always healed.

 

[cl2ysta1]

shippers actually cut them off so they dont puncture bags. So he probably didnt have it when you recieved him

 

[danfrith]

Is it called the "Caudal Keel"?

 

[FOSELONE]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13702652#post13702652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cl2ysta1
shippers actually cut them off so they dont puncture bags. So he probably didnt have it when you recieved him

huh...ive never heard that...

 

[Recty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13702652#post13702652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cl2ysta1
shippers actually cut them off so they dont puncture bags. So he probably didnt have it when you recieved him

Some shippers do, I would say not many.

I've received probably 6 or 7 tangs through the mail, from 3 different companies and never had any with trimmed tangs.

 

[Untamed12]

In the photo, it looks like your tang has snagged it's spine on something...probably damaging it and the surrounding tissue. I've seen this many times (particularly on my Atlantic Blue)...it heals quickly enough, although it may loose that particular spine for some time.

 

[zemuron114]

most tangs are not snipped. The only tangs that are generally snipped for shipping purposes are naso sp. only because they literally stick out like knives! Xlrg nasos can have 1/2" spines! Crazy sharp too. xlrg achilles as well.

any other tangs are usually never snipped, because the spines on most tangs hug the body very closely and dont pertrude enough to pop a bag (some pop the bag though...)

these spines will grow back if cut off within a couple weeks. As long as they dont snip to close to the skin - no harm done. I do it all the time to nasos. I have never heard of a kole being snipped... it is difficult to cut a spine on a kole since it runs along the body and doesn't stick out...

 

[chrisstie]

I would not want to be the person in charge of trimming the tang's razor. I can barely clip one of my cat's nails she throws such a tizzy. Just saying.

 

[jamiec266]

most tangs are not snipped. The only tangs that are generally snipped for shipping purposes are naso sp. only because they literally stick out like knives! Xlrg nasos can have 1/2" spines! Crazy sharp too. xlrg achilles as well.

any other tangs are usually never snipped, because the spines on most tangs hug the body very closely and dont pertrude enough to pop a bag (some pop the bag though...)

these spines will grow back if cut off within a couple weeks. As long as they dont snip to close to the skin - no harm done. I do it all the time to nasos. I have never heard of a kole being snipped... it is difficult to cut a spine on a kole since it runs along the body and doesn't stick out...

Can u snip yellow tangs spikes? How would i do so? With nail clippers? It deff wont harm him will it? Long as i dont get to close to the skin...

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[ca1ore]

Better to just not buy a tang (old thread, BTW).

 

[jamiec266]

Better to just not buy a tang (old thread, BTW).

I have two tangs. Obe has the spike one doesnt. New to this chat so wasnt aware! Thanks

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