Vampire tang

georgehoughton

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So bought a vampire tang from my lfs about a week ago
Got these like black marks on it (not spots) but full marks
Its the biggest fish in the tank..
Other fish are like coral beauty some wrasse and clowns
My local lfs told me to use this product minnfinn but i am skeptical for my corals health..
i do not have a quarantine tank either so my options are limited..
but anyone tell me what it is?

IMG_8875.png IMG_8876.png IMG_8877.jpeg
 

Uncle99

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Very blue, do you have any under white light?
Whenever a new addition is made, I always lean firstly to nips or bites, especially on a territorial fish like that, but, the pic on my end is way to blue to give you anything reasonable other than that SWAG.
 
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georgehoughton

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Very blue, do you have any under white light?
Whenever a new addition is made, I always lean firstly to nips or bites, especially on a territorial fish like that, but, the pic on my end is way to blue to give you anything reasonable other than that SWAG.
IMG_8883.jpeg
 

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vetteguy53081

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Hope this helps
These look to be marks from aggression such as tail strikes or bite marks
It’s essential to quarantine tangs in general and if aggression, to identify the aggressor (s).
Isolation will be of benefit to this fish and observe for healing and not becoming infected
 
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georgehoughton

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These look to be marks from aggression such as tail strikes or bite marks
It’s essential to quarantine tangs in general and if aggression, to identify the aggressor (s).
Isolation will be of benefit to this fish and observe for healing and not becoming infected
As stated i dont have any other fish in the aquarium that would be able to inflict this type of mark on him?
Alls i have are
Clowns jouvis
An iridis wrasse
Flasher wrasse
Hawkfish jouvi
Cleaner wrasse
Firefish goby
Coral beauty
And a blenny
 

wasabi bean

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How long have the other fish been established because if they have well defined territories all fish can be mean maybe just to ensure it isn’t other fish set ip a camera to record and feed the tank then you will see any aggression
 

Jay Hemdal

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Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Those look to be erosions in the fish's skin, like pits?
Are there similar marks on its left side?

I've seen that before, but not quite this bad. I'd rule out aggression from the other fish, because this fish's fins are all fine.

I would not use MinnFin, it is a peroxide product, an oxidizer. It won't have any benefit against bacterial or viral issues, which is what I suspect this is.
 
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georgehoughton

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Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Those look to be erosions in the fish's skin, like pits?
Are there similar marks on its left side?

I've seen that before, but not quite this bad. I'd rule out aggression from the other fish, because this fish's fins are all fine.

I would not use MinnFin, it is a peroxide product, an oxidizer. It won't have any benefit against bacterial or viral issues, which is what I suspect this is.
Yes marks are on both sides of the fish.. what would you suggest the best plan of action to be?
 

vetteguy53081

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As stated i dont have any other fish in the aquarium that would be able to inflict this type of mark on him?
Alls i have are
Clowns jouvis
An iridis wrasse
Flasher wrasse
Hawkfish jouvi
Cleaner wrasse
Firefish goby
Coral beauty
And a blenny
Yes, none of these fish
To be safe, treat with broad spectrum medication such as seachem neoplex to prevent infection
 

MnFish1

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I believe this could be aggression - and of course - that should be ruled out. Additionally, if you look at some other pictures of vampire tangs some have these markings under stress - however not as pronounced as yours. Additionally, sometimes younger fish have them - how big is the fish? Especially since you just got it - it may be 'normal', a reaction to aggression, or damage from aggression?
 
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georgehoughton

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Is your Tang eating? Any Flashing or Scratching going on?
No no flashing and it has been eating right up until today… its gradually got worse over the past 3-4days absolutely no scratching just relentlessly pestering the cleaner shrimp to help it out
 

Neilie

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I’m just putting my 2cents in by no means would I be able to have a say on this. Only fish I think would be an issue if that’s possible. The hawk fish, I have a long nose that darts at my hand or if I put tongs or a tube when feeding corals. He’s a nut job. 🤦🏼‍♂️ Beautiful fish hope it all works out well for it.
 
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georgehoughton

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I’m just putting my 2cents in by no means would I be able to have a say on this. Only fish I think would be an issue if that’s possible. The hawk fish, I have a long nose that darts at my hand or if I put tongs or a tube when feeding corals. He’s a nut job. 🤦🏼‍♂️ Beautiful fish hope it all works out well for it.
Naa my hawk is 2 inches🤣 he just sits on his rock and judges everyone thats about the worst he gets🤣
 

vetteguy53081

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No no flashing and it has been eating right up until today… its gradually got worse over the past 3-4days absolutely no scratching just relentlessly pestering the cleaner shrimp to help it out
This is not a flashing issue and they have some of these markings but not as many
 

W31Olds

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Going to Cleaner Shrimp is a fairly large Clue that it's not aggression and some sort of parasite. Also, not likely he would go off feed if just scraped up.
 

MnFish1

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Going to Cleaner Shrimp is a fairly large Clue that it's not aggression and some sort of parasite. Also, not likely he would go off feed if just scraped up.
I disagree. The black marks re not parasite related. I think it's stress related - whether aggression or a new tank with other fish. My guess is it's a combination. If I remember correctly the OP said he didn't QT - so perhaps its also parasite related - but I dont see any parasites or parasite symptoms.\

I think a key question - is is this a juvenile fish - i.e. how big.
 

vetteguy53081

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Going to Cleaner Shrimp is a fairly large Clue that it's not aggression and some sort of parasite. Also, not likely he would go off feed if just scraped up.
I have 26 tangs and two cleaner shrimp and they go up to shrimp always as shrimp set up cleaning station. Havent had disease in many years. Its a natural instinct
 

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