Lionfish...

[Bob63]

I have a 240 gallon tank - fish has been together for about 3 years - a lionfish, 2 puffers, wrasp, chameleon parrotfish (ID not confirmed) - a white / clear type of secretion has appeared in the tank -I initially thought it was coming from lionfish but could not be sure....however, I was told that a parrotfish makes a sort of a cocoon when it sleeps but the secretion is not a large piece but rather several approx. 1 inch thin strips... when I moved the tank I used stresscoat under the advise of a friend...could this be stresscoat residue? (it contains aloe vera) or does a lionfish secrete anything?
Any ideas?

 

[Pterois]

My lionfish (dwarf fuzzy) "sheds" for lack of a better word. After he sheds, all his colors are more brilliant. He's done that twice in a year. He doesn't eat during the shedding period.

 

[TerryB]

Yes lionfish do shed mucus. This helps to reduce parasites and even algae that attaches to them.

You may find this article helpful:
http://www.marineaquariumadvice.com/lionfish-pterois-volitans.html

Terry B

 

[Bob63]

Thanks!

Yes, it seems he really was shedding - who knew? Well, us if we'd read up enough! While we've been into saltwater for years (by hobby & education), we've only had this tank, which came stocked w/ its inhabitants, for 2.5 weeks now .. we're learning new stuff every day. Going to post another "please identify me" thing as we still have one fish that, despite posts on several sites .. we cannot identify. Thanks for your help! B&B