Need some Tang questions answered

[Saltgator]

Over the last 2 days, I've noticed some ruff spots above my chevron tang's eyes. Any thoughts (please see pics, and sorry, I ain't a picture taker)? I am 100% positive this isn't ich (I have battled it over the years). There has been minimal fighting between my chevy and the other 2 tangs (male naso and small scopas), mainly between the naso and chevy. The chevy seems to be controlling a certain rock. Also, the chevron seems to be the bully, even though he was added last and is the middle size of the tangs. Any thoughts why a bristle tooth species is acting like a zebra or acan species? Any help on the discoloration/unusal marks above both eyes would be great. Thanks to all.

P.S. : After searching the web, I thought this may have been HLLE caused by the carbon I have in the system, so I removed it. Parameters are well within range, tank is 125 long, all fish have been in the system for over a year, mainly schooling with all tangs with slight fighting by the chevron, all eating omega flakes w/ garlic mixed w/ rogers reef.

 

[Lateral72]

It is HLLE for sure. There are multiple causes, and Carbon (whether directly or indirectly) has been proven to cause HLLE. It's thought the Carbon dust is one of the culprits. High Nutrients (ie; poor water quality) and stray voltage have also been blamed.

HLLE is very slow to heal, it often never fully heals and leaves scarring on the fish.

 

[Saltgator]

Thanks for the responce, didn't think it would happen, but lucky me. The other 2 tangs show no signs, but the carbon will not go back in unless need and only for a short period and in a micron bag around 50. I have a grounding probe on the system and I feed what I believe to be high in nutrients and adding greens and vitiamins every feeding and that is why I ruled those out and believing it was HLLE.Thanks again

 

[Saltgator]

Update: Still battling HLLE in my chevron. It appears to be progressing, yet no other tang or fish show signs. The chevron is the boss still, yet is the one that is sick. Carbon has been removed from the system, water change, feeding vitamins with every feeding, feeding nori twice as much, grounding probe still in operation, water tests all good. What now (do I ride it thru even though I can't stand to see my chevron like this or what)?

 

[pickupman66]

what foods are you feeding??? I believe that a high quality flake food is a vital part. not just the frozen cubes.

 

[Saltgator]

pickupman66: No frozen cubes (bad experience a year ago). A mixture of omega one w/ garlic, rogers reef food complete blend, nori each day. These are all soaked in kent garlic extreme and amino omega by brightwell.

 

[hawkfishman]

rid-volt saved my purple tang he's back to 100%

 

[FishLipz]

Try New Life Spectrum pellet foods. My tangs love it and my buddy brought a purple tang back from HLLE feeding only this and nori soaked in selcon. Good luck.

 

[Saltgator]

Just an update....
I returned from vacation in the smokey mountains staying with family and can say that my chevron hasn't had his HLLE progress (I think). The errosion seems to have stop spreading (throughout the head area only) but seems to be becoming white like scar tissue. He is still the bully, eating very, very strong. Is this the usual process with HLLE and can I expect any healing now that the progression has stopped? It appears that my carbon was the problem (now that it hasn't been in since the beginning of this issue and nothing else has changed). Thanks to all who have assisted my chevron and me.

 

[pickupman66]

Good to hear the fish is doing well. just fwiw, I feed Ocean nutrition formula 2 flakes to my tangs. never had a HLLE issue...

 

[fish&corals]

thank you for the update .. i do tank maintenance on a tank that her yellow tang and hippo tang have HLLE they had it since she got the tank .. been treating with roasted nori and vitamins .. the yellow is starting to look better but the hippo is still hurting but they both do eat .. good luck getting them back to health really hope it works out for you .. the chevron tang is such a pretty tang .. keep checking back for more updates ..

 

[Saltgator]

Fish&corals: thanks. I believe my chevron suffered HLLE from carbon dust. A powerhead in my sump might have caused the carbon in a bag to grind itself down by heavy flow 24/7. Keep them on high maintenance food and hopefully they get better. Good luck.

 

[fish&corals]

yea thats what im doing now .. i wish i could have a chevron in my tank but my powder blue and lav tang will not allow it at all .. they are the beast in my system ..

 

[Saltgator]

I agree. Lucky me ended up with a chevron that will not back down. He rules over my male naso and scopas. He kinda reminds me of a purple tang I had before. Lately he has issues with my tribal blenny around his territory.

 

[fish&corals]

my powder lets my neon goby's clean her and everything .. but to add another tang into my system would be kind of touch and go .. i added a yellow tang to it and she went crazy .. but now they are tank mates ..

 

[Saltgator]

I agree. Hit n miss is usually the case with most tangs imo.Purples excepting scopas, hippos beating up yellows. You never know. Each fish different. I am pretty content with the ones I have, but I'm looking to purchase a black longnose soon for another tank of mine and either an orange shoulder or another chevron to join the black.

 

[fish&corals]

i would do the orange shoulder for sure .. the LFS i help out at some times had a really nice orange shoulder what a really nice fish .. but your right the chevron tang what i would not do to have one .. if i did he/she would def have to be at least 5 to 6" due to my lav tang is a good 5 and the powder is about the same .. my yellow tang is a lil smaller ,, while im on my trip this week im going to see if i can get a good size doctor tho but if not im going to be looking into a chevron .. if i could have it in my tank .. i would do a whole tang tank if it was up to me but my wife loves all the other fish we have in it ..

went and did my tank maint today her yellow is looking alot better . the hippo about the same .. hope yours heals up good ..

 

[SaltWaterDave]

A guy on another forum I'm a member of has a Purple Tang that got HLLE and he treated it with Viti-Chem. He posted pics and it cleard up in a few weeks.

 

[Saltgator]

Thanks hiker4twenty. I'm pouring vitamins on each feeding. After I run out of extremely garlic and amino omega, I'm gonna try that.

 

[SaltWaterDave]

No prob. Hope it recovers soon for you. He also said that's by tangs eating too much meaty food it can contribute to HLLE so he switched for a full veggie diet and added veggies like peas, carrots, broccoli, spinich, brusslesprouts, etc.