What's wrong with my rays? (pics)

[Purplerock SD]

I have a tank with two Pacific rays. It is about 500 gallons with lots of open sand space. There are some triggers in the tank that pick on the rays every once in a while. A couple of weeks ago there were a few bite marks and red spots that looked like they got bit, but aggression has not been noticed. This has happened a couple of times but they healed and went away. The fish now have some discolorations, that look like scar tissue or something. There is nothing on top of the scales, and no redness whatsoever. Just discoloration, and it seems to be bigger than the red wound was. The fish eat well and are acting normal otherwise. What do these look like to you, healing wounds or some kind of wound or infection? Thanks for your help!!!.

 

[Purplerock SD]

More pics:

 

[rastarainy]

looks to me like HLLE (head and lateral line erosion). The only way I've seen reversal of this disease (HLLE) is with Ecosystems Mud Filter ---- www.ecosystems.com

 

[phk36]

I have this on an angle and a purple tang. I soak all food in selcon and it is helping but at a very slow rate. This is if your fish do have this

 

[JHemdal]

Sharks and rays can't get HLLE, no lateral line(grin).

In looking at this, it seems that its an abrasion of sorts, worse on one fish than the other. Do you ever see the rays do a behavoir known as "topping" - where one ray settles down on top of the other for a moment. This is a dominance thing - and rays can bite while doig that, which might result in skin damage, and possibly a subsequent bacterial infection....just a guess though.

Jay

 

[MattAndKim]

I'm assuming that was a joke about sharks and rays not having a lateral line?

 

[JHemdal]

Sorry, my bad! I was mistaken, (I was thinking of the more diffuse Ampullae of Lorenzini) sharks DO have discrete lateral lines, but the scale system is different over the lateral line canals, so they do NOT develop HLLE.

Jay

 

[Purplerock SD]

Well, It turns out these were abrasions. There was a Queen angel and a Clown trigger picking on the rays. They have been removed and the spots have healed. Thanks for your help all.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

Glad to hear your rays are doing well and thank you for updating!

 

[venege]

Hello, I just removed a Queen Angel that was picking on my Ray. However, the wounds on my Ray look more fleshy/bloody. Would anybody please recommend a course of action to prevent infection.

In the meantime I think that I will soak it's food in an antibiotic.

 

[phk36]

I lost mine the same way. It took about a week . I am sure the ray had some type of infection.