Tang fin problems

S

sundance2011

New member
The fins on my Yellow and Blue Tangs are disappearing/deformed (see image). They were OK when purchased and over the past 2 or 3 months I have seen this problem. There is no indication of a problem other than the fin condition, they are peppy, eating well and I have seen no discoloration at the fin. There is discoloration on the belly of the Yellow Tang but that may be normal, I don't know but doesn't seem to be associated with the fin if not normal. Water chemistry is OK (except nitrates a little high) and have a Cyano problem but it's being addresses.

Any idea what the problem is, what is causing it and how to remedy it.

Obviously I will not bring back the missing fin but I want to eliminate the cause so it does not progress.

Thanks
 

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Dmorty217 said:
Fin rot... You need a hospital tank and antibiotics stat
Click to expand...


What product, is this OK:
API Melafix Antibacterial

What about the tank they are in, won't they get it again if I put them back in the same tank?

I don't have a Hospital tank or one to set up, can they be treated in the main tank?

Thanks

P.S. Is this a fungus or what?
 
Last edited:
Dmorty217 said:
Fin rot... You need a hospital tank and antibiotics stat
Click to expand...

+1 I suggest either Furan-2 or Seachem Kanaplex. Whether or not the other fish in the DT get it depends upon the strength of their immune systems. If you have a UV, run it on the DT.
 
I have had two yellow tangs over the years that end up this way as well after a few months. All other tangs (Kole Tang, Powder blue ) never show any signs of this type of distress. The yellow tangs always eat well and are consuming the proper foods but both have shown signs of malnutrition. The only common denominator is that i have ran BRS Lignite carbon 24/7 with both yellows. Always wandered if it was related to carbon which I have read before that this is possible cause of lateral line disease but curious why the other tangs are not affected. This picture is like a carbon copy of my yellows. Everything you pointed out in your picture is identical. Tagging along on this one.
 
tank41 said:
Always wandered if it was related to carbon which I have read before that this is possible cause of lateral line disease but curious why the other tangs are not affected.
Click to expand...

There does appear to be the beginnings of HLLE around the face area.
 
That would definitely be my guess also hedge but many people use that carbon and also keep yellows with out such issues. There has to be something else that is contributing to this problem. Yellow Tangs are a pretty popular fish for most people in this hobby and I believe if the lignite carbon was a issue there would literally hundreds of tangs that look this way and the source I believe would be pinpointed by now. I have a buddy that uses the same carbon and keeps yellows with no issues. If this were the culprit and a different carbon was used or carbon eliminated for a period would their fins ever recover??
Been racking my brain for awhile over this one. Hope we get more feedback.
 
IMO; if you aren't going to use high grade carbon, don't use carbon at all. I only run BRS Rox 0.8 and while it burns my *** to pay that much for carbon, I never deal with HLLE unless I get a "damaged fish" from someone else. I've kept YTs while running Rox 0.8 with no issues.
 
Yes. Rox. 8 is cleaner than ignite. And I think it depends on how you use it. The constant pulvarizing is way worse than a gentle tumble. Also I put filter socks on all my carbon outputs and trap as much dust as possible. Pull the carbon and do some water changes and just see if it gets better. Thereafter switch to Rox. 8 very small amount and make sure it's not getting ground up.
 
P's I had this Same situation and I did exactly as I told you and it worked. In addition I think ozone was reacting with carbon some way to make worse or I was grinding it up too much as ozone output was run over carbon bag with fast water. I now run some bags passively and one in reactor very slowly with a filter sock.
 
tank41 said:
I have had two yellow tangs over the years that end up this way as well after a few months. All other tangs (Kole Tang, Powder blue ) never show any signs of this type of distress. The yellow tangs always eat well and are consuming the proper foods but both have shown signs of malnutrition. The only common denominator is that i have ran BRS Lignite carbon 24/7 with both yellows. Always wandered if it was related to carbon which I have read before that this is possible cause of lateral line disease but curious why the other tangs are not affected. This picture is like a carbon copy of my yellows. Everything you pointed out in your picture is identical. Tagging along on this one.
Click to expand...

In my case if it's the carbon it is effecting my Blue tang as well.
 
I'm not knew to Reef tanks but as always you never stop learning. This is totally new to me I have never heard of carbon being a problem. I have never ever really had to deal with disease for the most part, other than chemistry off a little now and then, Algae and Cyano it's been healthy. I have had tangs for a while and never saw this problem and have always used the same carbon.

What is HLLE?

I have read a little on Fin Rot and if it was Fin Rot shouldn't I see indications of disease on the fin and that disease margin of the fin progress down the fin as it is destroyed? I am seeing none of that. The fin is bright yellow and has looked healthy the whole time, it just deformed. It started as a tear in the membrane between the fin bones, since this guy is somewhat spastic, darting in and out of the rocks I just assumed he tore it and it would heal but it it just got worse but never looked disease. The only discoloration is that on the belly as noted in the picture.

Had planned to clean the filter (Fluval 405) Monday, should I leave the carbon out and see what happens? I personally do not thing the fin will regenerate on the Yellow tan as the fin bones seem to have regressed and scared as you can see in the picture. So there is no structure for the fin to develop on.

Thanks for the help and ideas and education.
 
HumbleFish said:
IMO; if you aren't going to use high grade carbon, don't use carbon at all. I only run BRS Rox 0.8 and while it burns my *** to pay that much for carbon, I never deal with HLLE unless I get a "damaged fish" from someone else. I've kept YTs while running Rox 0.8 with no issues.
Click to expand...

This.
 
I have a case of yellow tang fin rot and have never used carbon. Have tried garlic on her food, no great success.
Time for the quarantine tank.
 
When it comes to yellow tangs, isn't this the way that HLLE usually looks? Not much going down the back or pitting on the face - but a deterioration of the fins. I've seen a lot of short finned yellow tangs, but I can't recall ever seeing one display HLLE like say an emperor angel would.
 
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