Dental Office Damage

[NavalOrange]

Hey everyone, 1st time post on RC. I've been a regular to the site just never registered or signed up. I'm currently doing my transition from an African Cichlid tank to a marine tank (I know the disease section is an odd place for an into post).

Okay so down to the issue. I started at a new dental office yesterday, walked in the door thought "how nice, a salt tank in the lobby". Well I get my paper work and sit down near the tank of course. I look over and instantly notice somethings not right, their Blue Tang has some issues.

I'm not sure what's wrong because there are a few things that were just not right. His face looks as if its deteriorating, you can see the skin and underlying muscles in his face.

The tank looks to be about a 75 gallons has some type of Puffer, Foxface, Clown (full grown) and the Blue Tang. I asked the receptions if they had someone come in for their tank maintenance and was told yes. From the looks of things not sure they are doing their job 100%.

It may be none of my business to try and fix their tank but I don't really care. For me it's about helping the fish and making sure he becomes healthy once again. So any advice on what could be wrong would be fantastic and much much appreciated.

Full res can be found
http://imgur.com/VGrTGYA

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Tang has HLLE. There is some question as to what exactly causes it, bad nutrition, carbon, stray electricity, etc but in any case a 75 is way too small for a blue tang.
I have yet to see a saltwater tank in an office, building lobby, restaurant, etc that was maintained properly. Most of the time the fish are extremely ill.

 

[Spar]

id pry into who 'maintains' that tank.... awful

 

[ThRoewer]

That tang looks beyond awful. This is likely a case that should be reported as animal neglect and abuse.
The puffer is way too big for a 75g tank as well.
BTW, are those real or fake corals?

 

[CoralsAddiction]

The dental office is probably trying to appeal to children by having a Finding Nemo theme. I actually think it's a great idea because let's face it how many kids are excited about going to the dentist? We shouldn't jump to a conclusion that it's abuse because we simply don't know all the facts...what if this is a rescue fish and the dental office is not able to find a store or someone else willing to take the tang? we don't even know the actual size of the tank and the picture doesn't really give us a good idea about how big the tank is. There is also a good chance that the office is relying on the advice of whoever set up the tank and is servicing it.
The tang clearly has erosion issues and it's not something that can be easily cured, even if transferred to a bigger tank the erosion might never go away. Not suggesting it's ok to keep a Hippo tang in a 75 gallon tank but the damage might be permanent.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

If that tank is a 75er then replacing the tang with an azure damsel will also do the trick. I have seen tons of people at fish stores and public aquariums see the damsel and say "look, that's Dori". Lol

 

[Dmorty217]

The tang has HLLE because he is stressed in the 75g and I'm sure that there are some serious nutritional deficiencies involved too. Very sad to see.

 

[ThRoewer]

The dental office is probably trying to appeal to children by having a Finding Nemo theme. I actually think it's a great idea because let's face it how many kids are excited about going to the dentist? We shouldn't jump to a conclusion that it's abuse because we simply don't know all the facts...what if this is a rescue fish and the dental office is not able to find a store or someone else willing to take the tang? we don't even know the actual size of the tank and the picture doesn't really give us a good idea about how big the tank is. There is also a good chance that the office is relying on the advice of whoever set up the tank and is servicing it.
The tang clearly has erosion issues and it's not something that can be easily cured, even if transferred to a bigger tank the erosion might never go away. Not suggesting it's ok to keep a Hippo tang in a 75 gallon tank but the damage might be permanent.

I don't blame the Dental office - they likely don't know any better - but the maintenance guy who isn't doing anything about this.

 

[NavalOrange]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the replies. I would agree with most of you guys other the ananimal neglect and abuse. Yes they do rely on the "maintenance" guy to care for the fish and the tank. We really can't rule out the big dogface puffer thats possibly picking at the tang. It very well could be a combination of things causing the erosion.

For me after doing some research over the past few days I personally came to the conclusion of HLLE as well. I am going back tomorrow for a follow up and I'll discuss with the dental office about ways to help this very very sad situation (I'm really hoping I can help, it really upsets me to see such an amazing fish in such a bad state). Thanks again and I'll update once I get back .

 

[NavalOrange]

That tang looks beyond awful. This is likely a case that should be reported as animal neglect and abuse.
The puffer is way too big for a 75g tank as well.
BTW, are those real or fake corals?

Luckily they are all fake.

 

[ThRoewer]

...We really can't rule out the big dogface puffer thats possibly picking at the tang. ....

If the dogface would pick on the tang, there wouldn't be a tang anymore. Puffer and trigger teeth are not designed to nibble but to cut through hard shells and take out meaty bites. Also, puffer fish wouldn't cause damage in the face but rather on the tail, neck or throat.

Since the tang is still alive you can safely exclude the puffer form the possibility list.

 

[NavalOrange]

If you say that's the case, then HLLE or some other type of disease is a better possibility.
I have looked for research on the topic of HLLE and the most I could find was a study done a few years back by Jay Hermdal, Curator of Fishes and Invertebrates Toledo Zoological Society; along with tons of other peoples opinion on the subject. All I have to go off right now are other peoples experiences in the hobby and my own research.

I'm 100% ignorant on marine diseases and issues, I was so grateful to have had so many experienced reefers give their two cents.

 

[NavalOrange]

Also, if anyone has any advice or ideas on how I should approach the dental staff about this issue let me know.

 

[thax]

Say I see your tank has some issues and I think I can help is all you can do. If they say no you tired

 

[NavalOrange]

Say I see your tank has some issues and I think I can help is all you can do. If they say no you tired

Yeah that's very true.

A the good thing is the front desk seemed to be concerned when I told them there was an issue to begin with so I am hoping they will work on fixing the issue and try to save the tang. I may even suggest they look into other companies to care for their tank.

 

[NavalOrange]

Update is a week late but never the less here's what happened.
Talked to the Owner and tried to explain to him the what issues he was having and well lets say he was very understanding that these fish need a large environment. Hell, he even told me that was his second Blue Tang (the 1st looking the same) and that the 75gal was his upgrade. In my head, I was kind of like *** and why would you even think about getting another?!

Conclusion, I wont be going back to the dental office.