Tang Vertebrate dislocated through skin?

[tommer725]

I bought a tang because it was beat up and wanted to save it after seeing a fish try to hurt it. The tang was pretty white at the time and so I didn't notice the fact that this was here. It is on both sides and the only thing I can think of is something with the spine? HELP! Is there anything I can do?

 

[o2manyfish]

Those two white points are the tang's defensive spines. It pops those out to slash at other fish to defend itself.

Dave B

 

[goalk33p3r]

All yellow tangs have that

 

[EllieSuz]

It's called a scalpel, like the surgical instrument, hence the other common name for tangs, "Surgeonfish". Yellows are just one of a large group of tangs that have these.

 

[DustyReefer]

they're like little switch blades