What could have caused such a clean cut on the tail?

[flameangel88]

Light just came on the tank and I noticed the tail been cut. I've 5 powerhead in the tank but don't think anyone could have done this kind of damage. The only fish capable would be a 7" Crosshatch but they've been together for over a year and gets along fine and. I just watch them for over 5 minutes now and they swim by each other fine. I checked all the other fish and none have any damage and everything appears to be calm. I estimate the cut to be 5/8 to 3/4".

 

[Bonta]

This might not be helpful but IMO that cut looks kinda cool on the bandit. Whats your stocking list?

 

[flameangel88]

Crosshatch, Marine Betta, Yellow anthias, Peppermint & Cuban hog, Exquisite wrasse, Wrasse Bass, Lawnmower, Semilarvatus and the rest are angels.

None of the fish would be capable with such bite with the exception of the Xhatch but I just don't think it was the Xhatch. I've been sitting in front of the tank and everything appears to be normal...very calm.

 

[Iwishihadgills]

If the bandit intruded on where the trigger sleeps that might be the reason why the trigger hated it when other fish came near its sleeping area.

 

[flameangel88]

That was my first thought but the trig been in this tank for over a year with many of the other fish longer and they've been in and out of that cave all the time in which the trig stays pretty much motionless other than the eyes following the surrounding movement. For a bite that deep I would think the trig have to be pulling the tail in and this is a 5" Bandit that doesn't take crap from any fish. I'm not say it's impossible but the jury is still out.

 

[mod0522]

I once found a similar wound on my scopas tang and upon an extensive search uncovered a nice size crab who, some how, evaded my reign of terror upon his kind. I was sure i had removed any and all of them but sure enough, nine months later, he gave himself away by grabbing a bite of tang. Looks like you have live rock in your tank. You may have to start hunting for crab legs!

 

[flameangel88]

I've eliminated crabs due to velvet about 8-9 months ago when I dosed Cupramine for over a month. I haven't seen a crab since. I added about 200 red/blue legs hermits a few months back but very disappointed when the package came in with them only being 0.5-0.75". The cut around the fin is a very smooth cut with only one small rough spot.

 

[Tylt33]

Looks like a crab-grab to me... maybe one survived your nuke and mutated into a beast. Especially with how it tapers at the end... pincer!

 

[Recty]

Looks like a bite to me, I've got some experience in that aspect of fishkeeping

In fact, I'd be willing to bet good money it was another fish biting it. It isnt just a cut, as the tail is completely missing. Something bit and removed the skin/cartilage in the tail.

Easily within the grasp of the crosshatch although I would expect a slightly bigger bite.

 

[stunreefer]

Not sure what could've bitten him, but I am sure that fish act totally different when you're in sight, like little kids. Walk out of the room and leave the lights on in the tank with all the lights off outside the tank, and just peer around the door/corner/whatever to see the tank. Sit back, relax and watch. You'll be amazed how different they act when you're not around, and you might even find out the culprit, GL!

 

[ccampbell57]

The crosshatch definitely did it. You can tell from the shape of the cut.

You would be suprized how ruthess crosshatches can be. My old 10" was very docile but one time it was eating and my clown trigger tried to take a silverside and the crosshatch took a nice chunk out of him...

 

[sanchoy]

with that stocklist, could be anyone..

 

[kinlayan]

I agree that it was most likely the crosshatch triggers, i have a pair and a clown trigger and have seen them do this to other fish especially over territory and feeding

 

[roktsintst]

How is the bite looking today Kevin?

 

[flameangel88]

First, thank you everyone for your inputs.

Ryan--the Bandit looks the same as yesterday and all the other fish are fine.

Austin--I sit in front of the tank with just moon lights on the weekends but will take your advice and watch tonight with the lights out.


Yes, I'm well aware what the Crosshatch is capable especially after watching her eating live clams the past year but I guess it was my wishful thinking to discount her initially. As far as other angels they would be lucky if the Bandit is not chasing them as the Bandit is the Boss in the tank even though the Blueline and Meredithi have out grew the Bandit the past 6 months. In the meantime I'll have to plan for the next move for the Crosshatch.

 

[mcarroll]

I've eliminated crabs due to velvet about 8-9 months ago when I dosed Cupramine for over a month. I haven't seen a crab since.

Emphasis mine. "Famous last words..." as the saying goes.

I can't explain it, but I know a crab (I get to see it regularly) that's survived several copper treatments. (He went into a fish only tank as a food item that just never got eaten....and never died. He'd been in through 3 treatments before anyone noticed he was still in there.)

Every dose of copper he's gotten has been to the correct treatment level (0.6 ppm? i forget ATM) as tested by a Hach kit too, so he hasn't gotten off light.

FWIW.
-Matt

 

[flameangel88]

Emphasis mine. "Famous last words..." as the saying goes.

I can't explain it, but I know a crab (I get to see it regularly) that's survived several copper treatments. (He went into a fish only tank as a food item that just never got eaten....and never died. He'd been in through 3 treatments before anyone noticed he was still in there.)

Every dose of copper he's gotten has been to the correct treatment level (0.6 ppm? i forget ATM) as tested by a Hach kit too, so he hasn't gotten off light.

FWIW.
-Matt

Matt--thanks for pointing this out again and the possibility is still there. One thing I failed to mention on my earlier reply is that last year when I introduced a Blueline to the DT the tank was hit with velvet and I was losing fish (Tinkeri, 3 Flameangels) so fast I'd to take drastic action and I ran Cupramine to 0.9 for 5 days till I noticed some of the fishes was no longer able to tolerate this level. I immediately performed a 25% WC twice that week to bring the copper level down. Velvet was gone and took the tank a while to recover and ammonia shot up the roof with all the die-off. At the time I felt helpless and the fish was dying so fast that I took a gamble and this is the best way I can describe it.

Kevin

 

[mcarroll]

Man, that is rough. Sorry to hear that....very nerve wracking to see something like that going on in your tank!

I'll hope this ripped tail is nothing but a freak happening. Amidst the hope, it couldn't hurt to leave a baited pepsi bottle-trap on your sand bed to collect crabs for a few (maybe several) nights....make a temp home (sump/whatever) for all the "good guy" crabs you're bound to catch, but if there are any bad guy crabs they'll eventually show up.

-Matt

 

[flameangel88]

Hey Matt,

Thanks...that looks to be easily put together. I'll have to try that. I used to have one of those Coke glass bottle in my 75 to catch worms.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I would highly doubt it was any invertebrate. That is from a big fish for sure, and as Chris said, almost surely the crosshatch. Fins split easily along that axis, but also heal quickly, provided the deepest area isnt damaged too much.