Could stray electricity cause lesions in fish?

SanFranTodd · 01/05/2008, 06:16 PM

I've had a keyhole angel for about 8 months now, today I noticed a huge lesion on its side - looks like something was munching on him (ripped flesh, missing scales).

My livestock consists of frogspawn, galaxy coral, mushrooms, and 3 small hermit crabs - I doubt any of them did this damage.

Could stray electricity in the tank cause this type of lesion?

I tried to snap some photos but the lil bugger won't hold still...

m2434 · 01/05/2008, 06:30 PM

Maybe if you have a ground probe...
If your tank is not grounded, such as would likely be the case if there is a not a ground probe, and you are not testing with a grounded meter, then there is only voltage potential and no current is actually flowing. If you add a ground then the current can flow.

Some articles

GP's
http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM...ingProbes.html

HLLE
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.php

SanFranTodd · 01/05/2008, 06:36 PM

I do not have a grounding probe, thus electricity didn't cause it - correct?

Maybe he got stuck between some rocks or something...

xraydoc · 01/06/2008, 10:23 AM

I dont think there is any way electricity could cause a focal lesion like that unless you had a direct arc of current strike the fish.

Im sure that did not happen, and stray current in a tank my globally affect the fish but I dont believe it could cause the focal outcome you describe. I bet you have a predator, maybe from live rock? Did he get caught in a powerhead? Does he have an illness? Just a few thoughts.

01/05/2008, 06:16 PM	#1
SanFranTodd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,699	Could stray electricity cause lesions in fish? I've had a keyhole angel for about 8 months now, today I noticed a huge lesion on its side - looks like something was munching on him (ripped flesh, missing scales). My livestock consists of frogspawn, galaxy coral, mushrooms, and 3 small hermit crabs - I doubt any of them did this damage. Could stray electricity in the tank cause this type of lesion? I tried to snap some photos but the lil bugger won't hold still...

01/05/2008, 06:30 PM	#2
m2434 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,171	Maybe if you have a ground probe... If your tank is not grounded, such as would likely be the case if there is a not a ground probe, and you are not testing with a grounded meter, then there is only voltage potential and no current is actually flowing. If you add a ground then the current can flow. Some articles GP's http://avdil.gtri.gatech.edu/RCM/RCM...ingProbes.html HLLE http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.php __________________ Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not, as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, but just to comprehend those things which are there. ~Richard Feynman

01/06/2008, 10:23 AM	#4
xraydoc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 201	I dont think there is any way electricity could cause a focal lesion like that unless you had a direct arc of current strike the fish. Im sure that did not happen, and stray current in a tank my globally affect the fish but I dont believe it could cause the focal outcome you describe. I bet you have a predator, maybe from live rock? Did he get caught in a powerhead? Does he have an illness? Just a few thoughts. __________________ "If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water." ~Loren Eiseley

01/05/2008, 06:36 PM	#3
SanFranTodd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,699	I do not have a grounding probe, thus electricity didn't cause it - correct? Maybe he got stuck between some rocks or something...