Leopard Wrasse Scab?

[frvarugh]

Hi MR -

I noticed my leopard wrasse has a blotched area that looks like a scab or something on his skin. I know he had been flashing so I'm wondering if that's what it is or something else worse. Any ideas?

 

[doma25]

hard to tell - but i've seen something similar on my fish (like the hippotang). They can scrape themselves on live rock when they get startled, and then when they start to heal that is what it looks like, a dulled out version of the normal flesh. If the fish is eating i wouldn't stress too much. Id also imagine a fish like the leopard wrasse (who sleeps in the sand) is even more likely to scrape themselves when startled.

 

[frvarugh]

Yeah I was thinking the same as well. So far he's eating fine and behaving normally. Thanks for your response!