tang troubles

[inker666]

i was checking on a freshly new yellow tang inhabitant, when i noticed a white line running lengthwise down his body...hopin its not a problem, the lights were out and i used a pen light to check on him....any ideas???

 

[Recty]

Totally normal to see that, it is their night time coloring.

 

[limitdown]

Sounds like head and lateral line erosion (HLLE). There are many speculations on the cause, but the current consensus is that it's caused by poor water quality and poor nutrient. Since your tang is new and assuming he didn't have the problem when you bought him, it's likely that he's not liking your water.

To help, change water more often, get more live rock, grow chaetomorpha macroalgae to help w/ nitrates, or get a sulfur denitrator. Soak food with supplements such as Selcon, Zoecon, Vitamin C and garlic. Also, clip a sheet of nori (seaweed) to the glass and let him pick at it.