Disappearing spots on Hippo Tang?

Sleepydoc · Oct 12, 2021

I noticed a poorly defined yellow spot on my hippo tang about a week ago. The next day it was gone and I thought maybe she had just scraped herself, then I saw it again a few days later. It's come and gone over the last week. She seems to be eating and otherwise acting normally. The spot is about 3-4mm in diameter and round with poorly defined edges. The only other thing I've noticed is a couple of darker spots at the upper border of the blue oval, a bit behind the yellow spot (they're not visible in the photo.) Any ideas what it could be?

MnFish1 · Oct 12, 2021

To me - they look like injuries - from what? IDK. But - a question - were the marks some days ago in the 'exact' place? Which could suggest a parasite possibly. @Jay Hemdal

Sleepydoc · Oct 12, 2021

MnFish1 said:
To me - they look like injuries - from what? IDK. But - a question - were the marks some days ago in the 'exact' place? Which could suggest a parasite possibly. @Jay Hemdal

That's what I thought at first when it disappeared, but then it came back again (and disappeared and came back.) I can't say for sure that it's in exactly the same place but it's always been on the same side in about the same place if not exactly the same place.

Jay Hemdal · Oct 12, 2021

Sleepydoc said:
I noticed a poorly defined yellow spot on my hippo tang about a week ago. The next day it was gone and I thought maybe she had just scraped herself, then I saw it again a few days later. It's come and gone over the last week. She seems to be eating and otherwise acting normally. The spot is about 3-4mm in diameter and round with poorly defined edges. The only other thing I've noticed is a couple of darker spots at the upper border of the blue oval, a bit behind the yellow spot (they're not visible in the photo.) Any ideas what it could be?

I’m having trouble seeing what you are describing: I see the big diffuse yellow spot top center on the black stripe, is that it or a blotch on the tank glass? Also, what are the two smaller spots further back on the black area, too and bottom?
Jay

Sleepydoc · Oct 12, 2021

Jay Hemdal said:
I’m having trouble seeing what you are describing: I see the big diffuse yellow spot top center on the black stripe, is that it or a blotch on the tank glass? Also, what are the two smaller spots further back on the black area, too and bottom?
Jay

Yes, that's it. Here's another picture. You can kind of see a couple of darker spots at the border of the black stripe and the blue oval. Unfortunately, she doesn't like holding still for pictures so I haven't been able to get anything better.

FWIW, the diffuse yellow spot is gone again today. The other spots are there, unchanged. I think the dark spots may be HLLE - I've been trying to deal with some on her head by increasing the amount of nori, and adding some herbivore frenzy and vitamins to the diet.

Jay Hemdal · Oct 13, 2021

Sleepydoc said:
Yes, that's it. Here's another picture. You can kind of see a couple of darker spots at the border of the black stripe and the blue oval. Unfortunately, she doesn't like holding still for pictures so I haven't been able to get anything better.

FWIW, the diffuse yellow spot is gone again today. The other spots are there, unchanged. I think the dark spots may be HLLE - I've been trying to deal with some on her head by increasing the amount of nori, and adding some herbivore frenzy and vitamins to the diet.

O.K., I thought the larger spot was form the camera. Sorry, I don't know what that is. It seems superficial and not deep seated. It isn't HLLE. What is more likely HLLE is the light discolorations right behind the fish's eye. I also don't know what the other two arrows are pointing at, but you'll want to watch those other three small white spots on the black area and the one white spot down by the lower fin.

Jay