New Blue Tang (HITH?)

[Raphael Dalmeida]

Hi,

Just got this blue Tang off someone shutting down their tank.

It seems to be healthy and it's already acclimated to my tank 600ltrs, swimming around and eating nori.

I noticed a bit of scarring (gray patches) in his face near the eyes, is this hole in the head / lateral line erosion?

If so is it reversible? Not sure how long he had as I just got him.

Will try to get a better photo once he settles better and gets less timid.

I've read that this can usually be caused by many factors.
1-i use some activated charcoal on my tank
(Should I remove it for his better health?)

2-currently I got some nori and ocean nutrition formula two flake food.
Also bought some vitachem to supplement (will arrive in some days)

3-i have a skimmer and a refugium with chato and mixed corals in tank, my nitrates are usually very low 5-10ppm

4-tank mates are only small fish (so he is likely the new tank boss)

Any other recommendations?

Thanks.
Cheers,
Rapha

 

[vetteguy53081]

HLLE
There are nyths about causes such as electrical/stray currents, carbon, etc
Recovert in many cases are accomplished by Good water quality and diet
Diet:
Formula 2 flake and frozen
Small plankton
LRS herbivore diet
Mysis shrimp
Spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari veggie diet
Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
Add selcon vitamins to the foods occasionally

 

[Raphael Dalmeida]

HLLE
There are nyths about causes such as electrical/stray currents, carbon, etc
Recovert in many cases are accomplished by Good water quality and diet
Diet:
Formula 2 flake and frozen
Small plankton
LRS herbivore diet
Mysis shrimp
Spirulina brine shrimp
Hikari veggie diet
Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
Add selcon vitamins to the foods occasionally

Thank you for the response.

Would you say that the case on this blue Tang would be a severe case?

Or something that could be reverted with good care?
The tang is actually eating quite well, not sick, flaring and bossing the tank when eating.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Hi,

Just got this blue Tang off someone shutting down their tank.

It seems to be healthy and it's already acclimated to my tank 600ltrs, swimming around and eating nori.

I noticed a bit of scarring (gray patches) in his face near the eyes, is this hole in the head / lateral line erosion?

If so is it reversible? Not sure how long he had as I just got him.

Will try to get a better photo once he settles better and gets less timid.

I've read that this can usually be caused by many factors.
1-i use some activated charcoal on my tank
(Should I remove it for his better health?)

2-currently I got some nori and ocean nutrition formula two flake food.
Also bought some vitachem to supplement (will arrive in some days)

3-i have a skimmer and a refugium with chato and mixed corals in tank, my nitrates are usually very low 5-10ppm

4-tank mates are only small fish (so he is likely the new tank boss)

Any other recommendations?

Thanks.
Cheers,
Rapha

This is a pretty minor case of HLLE. In many instances, simply moving the fish to a new tank can help reverse the issue, but in other cases, the scars are permanent. Avoiding dusty carbon, having good water quality and feeding a varied diet can all help, but it may take months to heal.

Here is an article I wrote on this topic:

Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)

This article discusses studies performed regarding head and lateral line erosion in captive fishes. Specifically, carbon use and nutrition as they relate to this syndrome.

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[Raphael Dalmeida]

This is a pretty minor case of HLLE. In many instances, simply moving the fish to a new tank can help reverse the issue, but in other cases, the scars are permanent. Avoiding dusty carbon, having good water quality and feeding a varied diet can all help, but it may take months to heal.

Here is an article I wrote on this topic:

Head and Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)

This article discusses studies performed regarding head and lateral line erosion in captive fishes. Specifically, carbon use and nutrition as they relate to this syndrome.

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

Awesome thanks for all the info.
It was a good read I removed carbon, and will be feeding variety of food for a more complete diet.

In your article there's mention to sunlight as a benefit for treatment. How does that work?

My tank currently get some afternoon sun (wondering if That would benefit and how)

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Awesome thanks for all the info.
It was a good read I removed carbon, and will be feeding variety of food for a more complete diet.

In your article there's mention to sunlight as a benefit for treatment. How does that work?

My tank currently get some afternoon sun (wondering if That would benefit and how)

The sunlight issue turns out to be a red herring - The Waikiki Aquarium oved some fish outdoors and they started to improve. Turns out, the outdoor system used different water, so moving the fish to a new tank was the benefit, not the outdoor aspect.

Jay