Tang Problem

[Jrapa86]

Hi #reefsquad , I have a 65 gallon saltwater tank about 3 months old. I recently bought a blue hepatis tang. Other fish in there are 2 clowns, and a few days ago a cow fish. The tang has been in there for about 2 weeks. Ever since I added him, he's been hiding inside live rock and seemed to get pale. Today I noticed this [see below].

I haven't seen the cowfish or the tang bother eachother. I also have 2 crabs in the live rock. Is this a trauma + stress or is this some kind of infection?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

@HotRocks @4FordFamily @ngoodermuth

 

[Jrapa86]

okay thanks! #reefsquad can you help guide me with some advice on this post?

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I called in some of the disease experts they should be along.

 

[Drizzieee]

That honestly looks like it was something nipping at it to me at least. Looks like sharp lines and pretty fresh just my $.02

 

[noahreefer]

Im no expert but I agree with @Drizzieee if not that then he maybe rammed himself into the rocks as they are known to do and injured himself.

 

[ngoodermuth]

How do the clowns look? Any hiding or rapid breathing?

Does it look like “slime” on the fish, or more like the skin is discolored? It’s hard to tell from the photos... but it kind of looks like Brooklynella, and if so your clowns will likely be next to show symptoms :/

 

[Jrapa86]

The clowns look great. It looks like actual damage to the skin, not really like slime

 

[Jrapa86]

I called in some of the disease experts they should be along.

Thanks!

 

[Jrapa86]

Im no expert but I agree with @Drizzieee if not that then he maybe rammed himself into the rocks as they are known to do and injured himself.

Any idea how I can help prevent him from burrowing so much in the rock?

 

[ngoodermuth]

I know hippo tangs can become marked up easily but that looks like a bit off to me. Hopefully @4FordFamily or @HotRocks weigh in soon, I’m interested to see what they think.

 

[Jberge]

Btw, welcome to R2R! Have any of your fish been quarantined prior to going into the display

 

[Brett newell]

I vote either some bites and or some bacterial issue.

And, I hate to be that guy but what are your plans for that fish in 2 months when it out grows that tank?

 

[Big G]

Looks like a pretty nasty bacterial infection. Here's a couple of links with complete info for pictures, care, and treatment:

http://www.reefedition.com/tank-terror-bacterial-infections-reef-tank/

On the link below scroll down to the Bacterial Infection pictures and compare your fish to the yellow tang pictured:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fish-disease-index-pictorial-guide.285708/#post-3473098

 

[HotRocks]

It's definitely a bacterial infection.

Agree with @Big G and NFG would be the best to use here.

 

[4FordFamily]

I agree that’s a nasty infection. Removal and treatment with NFG would be ideal. Use kanaplex, metroplex, and furan 2 until NFG arrives but that fish needs treatment immediately.

 

[ngoodermuth]

I thought as much, but I know hippos in particular do wedge themselves in-between rocks, so I wanted to make sure the “tang experts” agreed first lol

If you don’t have it or can’t get NFG quickly, Triple Sulfa or Sulfaplex + Furan-2 is a pretty good substitute. Just have to keep a close eye on ammonia and dose biospira as needed since they are both pretty strong antibiotics.

 

[Jrapa86]

Thanks for all of your replies

I hadn't quarantined the Tang prior to putting him on display. Only drip acclimation over the course of a few hours prior to adding him. Right now I have him in a breeder tank which is within the main tank. Tomorrow is Easter so I don't know any stores that will be open for antibiotics. Given this is likely an infection, is there any risk of it spreading?


Here is an update photo before I put him in the breeder. I'm hoping I can save this little guy and do whatever I can.

#Jberge thanks for the Welcome. Unfortunately not on better circumstances, I anticipated a 65 gallon would have been big enough. No?

 

[Jrapa86]

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Thanks for all of your replies

I hadn't quarantined the Tang prior to putting him on display. Only drip acclimation over the course of a few hours prior to adding him. Right now I have him in a breeder tank which is within the main tank. Tomorrow is Easter so I don't know any stores that will be open for antibiotics. Given this is likely an infection, is there any risk of it spreading?


Here is an update photo before I put him in the breeder. I'm hoping I can save this little guy and do whatever I can.

#Jberge thanks for the Welcome. Unfortunately not on better circumstances, I anticipated a 65 gallon would have been big enough. No?

Tank size in regards to this Tang is usually a 180G or larger. This one will quickly outgrow this tank. But you’ve got him for now but you will have to rehome him sooner than later.
Welcome to R2R!!