Hippo Tang Looks Beat Up

[fishmartin1088]

Blue hippo tang looks like he’s scratched up his face. Is this normal? He likes to sleep in a rock crevice that is definitely too small for him now, so thinking he’s cutting it up there.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

#fishmedics

 

[Sharkbait19]

It looks like it could be early hlle. What are your water params and what is the fish’s diet?

 

[fishmartin1088]

It looks like it could be early hlle. What are your water params and what is the fish’s diet?

Protein pellets
Mysis
Nori (bullied away from it by another tang)

Water is great and stable.

 

[Sharkbait19]

What are the actual numbers? Great for one may be toxic to another.
Also, do you run carbon at all?

 

[fishmartin1088]

I run carbon HOB filters.

Parameters:
Alk: 9.8
PH: 7.8
Phosphate: .8 PPM
Calcium: 419
Mag: 1097
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: .1
Nitrate: 32ppm
Salinity: 1.025

 

[Sharkbait19]

Positive nitrate readings are weird for a cycled tank. They wouldn’t necessarily contribute to hlle but are worth nothing as an issue. The nitrates are pretty high and may be a contributing factor.

 

[fishmartin1088]

Positive nitrate readings are weird for a cycled tank. They wouldn’t necessarily contribute to hlle but are worth nothing as an issue. The nitrates are pretty high and may be a contributing factor.

Could it indicate not enough live rock for the bio load? I have roughly 35lbs

 

[Flounder's Reef]

Kinda looks like hole in the head

 

[Sharkbait19]

Could it indicate not enough live rock for the bio load? I have roughly 35lbs

Is that it for rock? What about sand and filter media? It could be a factor but I’m not convinced. Honestly, it is more likely to be a misread to me but still worth checking out.
After rereading I noticed you mentioned the carbon filters. It isn’t officially proven, but carbon is associated with hlle in tangs. Try pulling the carbon out and see if that makes a difference.

Kinda looks like hole in the head

Hole in the head is seen in freshwater fish like cichlids. The equivalent is head and lateral line erosion in marine fish. Similar symptoms and causes but technically two different diseases.