HLLE?

[ReeferNoob77]

I noticed these white marks on my yellow tang yesterday above the eyes and after doing a little research I think it may be HLLE. From what I have read the most likely culprit is poor diet but could be some form of infection. I feed New Life Spectrum Thera A and sometimes mix up some frozen mysis or plankton for them. I have been bad about providing Nori sheets but figured there was plenty of algae in the tank for them to graze on.

The other fish in the tank are all good and no other signs of illness are present. and my water parameters are all in acceptable ranges.

I have started treating with metro never done that before. I mix a frozen cube with some tank water, add focus and metro, stir them together, and let it sit for half an hour before feeding. Is this right? I have also added Nori to the tank and will keep a sheet available. I will try to get some better pictures but the tang is a bit skittish.

I am looking for confirmation that this may be HLLE and if there is anything else I can be doing let me know please.

 

[melypr1985]

It could be, but it's hard to tell from these pictures.

I have been bad about providing Nori sheets but figured there was plenty of algae in the tank for them to graze on.

I know you already have nori in there, but I wanted to point out that the algae that grows in your tank shouldn't be a staple diet for your tang. The nori is very important for his long term health.

You may also want to be sure you are running high quality carbon, and that you dn't have any stray voltage leaking into the tank.

 

[4FordFamily]

It almost looks like an aberrant koi tang, but my guess is that it is some degree of HLLE as you said but would like some clearer photos. It looks like you've had the fish awhile, I'm assuming this wasn't always there which is what's perplexing.

Also, my fish only get HLLE when exposed to copper for awhile-- I suspect because I don't feed pellets or flakes and my mixed frozen medley soaks in selcon, and my fish have nori every day of the week. That would be my suggestion. :)

 

[Mini Coop]

I am no expert, but my sailfin tang got HLLE above her eyes first, hers was from copper treatment. I really don't know alot or if this is what you are dealing with, but I feed Nori every morning, and she LOVES it - and I have started soaking her food at night in selcon. Her HLLE is already healing. Just passing along advice that I have gotten here as well.

 

[ReeferNoob77]

Thanks for all the information, I will start feeding nori daily. Never heard of selcon before will have to do some Google searches on it. Here is a better pic I think. I have had this fish for a little while 8 or so months and is mixed reef tank. Not sure how sensitive corals are to copper I will check tank later for it.

 

[melypr1985]

Not sure how sensitive corals are to copper I will check tank later for it.

you shouldn't have any copper in your display at all. It's toxic to corals and inverts. 4Ford meant that he usually sees this when he puts his tangs through QT using copper.