Is this caused by my eel or HLLE?

[HAAAAAAAA]

I've had this sailfin tang for about 5 months and I've never seen this until now unless my eel just suddenly changed his mind, i do use carbon but I haven't seen any effects until now, i used a flashlight since i currently don't have any lights on this tank but if better pics are needed I'll definitely do something about it

He still eats like a champ

This is my first tang so please do tell me the necessary precautions I need to take

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I've had this sailfin tang for about 5 months and I've never seen this until now unless my eel just suddenly changed his mind, i do use carbon but I haven't seen any effects until now, i used a flashlight since i currently don't have any lights on this tank but if better pics are needed I'll definitely do something about it

He still eats like a champ

This is my first tang so please do tell me the necessary precautions I need to take

The ripped fins are not HLLE. I don’t see any lesions around its face, that’s where you’ll see HLLE.

The ripped fins are from being bitten by another fish, probably the eel, but what else is in the tank?

 

[exnisstech]

The ripped fins are not HLLE. I don’t see any lesions around its face, that’s where you’ll see HLLE.

The ripped fins are from being bitten by another fish, probably the eel, but what else is in the tank?

Also what size tank and are there sufficient hiding spots? A FTS will help

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

The ripped fins are not HLLE. I don’t see any lesions around its face, that’s where you’ll see HLLE.

The ripped fins are from being bitten by another fish, probably the eel, but what else is in the tank?

Currently I have 2 eels one is a fangtooth and the other is a pebble tooth which is the zebra moray the one fish is a greasy grouper which is about 10 inches

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

Also what size tank and are there sufficient hiding spots? A FTS will help

It is a 150 gallon aquarium with a lot of open space and less rocks mainly for the eels, about 5 feet long and 2 by 2 feet

The tang is still about 6 to 7 inches so I have no intentions to upgrade as of yet

 

[exnisstech]

It is a 150 gallon aquarium with a lot of open space and less rocks mainly for the eels

Granted open space is needed for swim room but my tangs sleep in the rocks. Yours needs a place to sleep. If it was out swimming in the dark when you took the photos that is not good. All of my fish except my CBB disappear to the rocks as soon as lights out. I have 8 tangs and they all sleep somewhere in the rock work.

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

Granted open space is needed for swim room but my tangs sleep in the rocks. Yours needs a place to sleep. If it was out swimming in the dark when you took the photos that is not good. All of my fish except my CBB disappear to the rocks as soon as lights out. I have 8 tangs and they all sleep somewhere in the rock work.

wow, thank you, i did not know that tangs sleep much less they go into rock work, I guess I really do need a new tank specifically for non predator fish because there is no way my sailfin would sleep comfortable with a medium sized eel in the rocks

I really appreciate the information

 

[exnisstech]

wow, thank you, i did not know that tangs sleep much less they go into rock work, I guess I really do need a new tank specifically for non predator fish because there is no way my sailfin would sleep comfortable with a medium sized eel in the rocks

I really appreciate the information

Ya poor guy is probably getting beat up constantly. Maybe a lfs will take him until you have a proper place for him. He'll most likely get pestered to death if this continues much longer.

EDIT : these are some of my gang. When the lights go out they all scatter and disappear into the rocks. Well the naso not so much. She will hang in a corner but I see her out and about at night sometimes. The other never come out until the room starts to lighten up

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

Granted open space is needed for swim room but my tangs sleep in the rocks. Yours needs a place to sleep. If it was out swimming in the dark when you took the photos that is not good. All of my fish except my CBB disappear to the rocks as soon as lights out. I have 8 tangs and they all sleep somewhere in the rock work.

But is it possible to keep it in a 60 gallon for about a few months till I have enough for a 130 gallon tank?

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

Ya poor guy is probably getting beat up constantly. Maybe a lfs will take him until you have a proper place for him. He'll most likely get pestered to death if this continued much longer.

Sadly there's no marine lfs near me, the fish I get from a lfs is shipped to me from about 9 hours away

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

Ya poor guy is probably getting beat up constantly. Maybe a lfs will take him until you have a proper place for him. He'll most likely get pestered to death if this continues much longer.

EDIT : these are some of my gang. When the lights go out they all scatter and disappear into the rocks. Well the naso not so much. She will hang in a corner but I see her out and about at night sometimes. The other never come out until the room starts to lighten up

That is one beautiful aquarium

 

[exnisstech]

But is it possible to keep it in a 60 gallon for about a few months till I have enough for a 130 gallon tank?

IMO it would be better in a 60 not being attacked than where it is now. Definatly not long term.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Currently I have 2 eels one is a fangtooth and the other is a pebble tooth which is the zebra moray the one fish is a greasy grouper which is about 10 inches

I think you can rule out the zebra moray, their natural food isn't fish. The grouper could be the culprit, but those generally leave other fish alone if they cannot swallow them. The fangtooth might well try to bite a fish while it's sleeping....

 

[littlefoxx]

Granted open space is needed for swim room but my tangs sleep in the rocks. Yours needs a place to sleep. If it was out swimming in the dark when you took the photos that is not good. All of my fish except my CBB disappear to the rocks as soon as lights out. I have 8 tangs and they all sleep somewhere in the rock work.

Also agree. The only tang I see out at night is my naso, she likes to do a few patrols around the tank just after lights out before she goes in her cave to sleep.

@HAAAAAAAA my guess is the eels are attacking him at night hence the torn fins. My eels come out and swim at night but I have plenty of caves for my fish. They really dont swim through the rock work a whole bunch so if your fish is out and about like that they are probably going after him

 

[littlefoxx]

But is it possible to keep it in a 60 gallon for about a few months till I have enough for a 130 gallon tank?

Also a 130 wont house him long, mine is about 7 inches (both tall and length wise) and only 6-7 months. The guy got him as a tiny fish and it outgrew his 160 in a matter of months.

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

I think you can rule out the zebra moray, their natural food isn't fish. The grouper could be the culprit, but those generally leave other fish alone if they cannot swallow them. The fangtooth might well try to bite a fish while it's sleeping....

I definitely noticed that when I saw a 2 holes together on the top fin which definitely indicates the 2 fangs but i am quite confused as to how did this not happen 5 months ago but now?

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

Also agree. The only tang I see out at night is my naso, she likes to do a few patrols around the tank just after lights out before she goes in her cave to sleep.

@HAAAAAAAA my guess is the eels are attacking him at night hence the torn fins. My eels come out and swim at night but I have plenty of caves for my fish. They really dont swim through the rock work a whole bunch so if your fish is out and about like that they are probably going after him

I see, but my eels really love their rock work Lol, but I'll try to put some more rocks in there but in the end I don't think I will be trying to put tangs with medium sized eels again maybe just with those which grow to under 2 feet or less

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

Also a 130 wont house him long, mine is about 7 inches (both tall and length wise) and only 6-7 months. The guy got him as a tiny fish and it outgrew his 160 in a matter of months.

I'll try to accomodate him the best I can, i don't think there's anyone with the experience or even a saltwater tank in my city unless I drive about 8 hours into a large city

 

[Tamberav]

Put him in the 60 imo, better than never having a place to sleep and getting beat up when you try.

Imagine if you just wanted to go to your comfy cozy bed at night and every time you got under the covers, a snake in your bed bit ya.

 

[littlefoxx]

I see, but my eels really love their rock work Lol, but I'll try to put some more rocks in there but in the end I don't think I will be trying to put tangs with medium sized eels again maybe just with those which grow to under 2 feet or less

Yeah the 3 eels I have are good with my tangs. My sailfin actually tries to bully my jeweled eel when he goes in his cave. But otherwise they get along no issues. I just wait until they are big enough to go in. I have a baby (tiny) Atlantic blue tang who is about the size of a quarter not including fins but she is in my coral tank until shes big enough that they wouldnt try to eat her.