Hippo tang problem

[lo7100]

Hi,

I have a hippo tang for over 1 year and I see that it develops some small holes on the head and grill area lately. Is it some kind of bacteria? What do you suggest to do? I heard that seachem "reef plus" solution will help. is that true? I also feed dry seeweed for the last couple of months to the fish but didn't make a different.

 

[mckostya]

are the spots white? tangs are prone to ich...

 

[lo7100]

no, it's like a small hole (in black). just on the face.

 

[mckostya]

isnt that normal? small black spots around face? i think mine has some too. i think they get them as they mature?

 

[mckostya]

Something like this, you can see small dots around eyes?
<img src = http://www.messersmith.name/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/blue_tang_paracanthurus_hepatus.jpg>

 

[lo7100]

The holes are bigger on my fish.

 

[henrystyle]

Hole in the head disease.. Comes from vitamin deficiency...Soak your food in selcon. Feed lots of seaweed. Will slowly go away if your lucky. Sometimes it wont. Really nothing you can do for that. My hippo has the same thing. Got it for $5. like that from Petco. They donated it to me because no one would buy it. Mine is growing and is very lively but the holes don't seem to be clearing up but it is healthy otherwise.

 

[KathyC]

HLLE - Head and Lateral Line disease.

Nobody is 100% sure of what causes it but tangs are especially prone to developing it. Diet has often been suggested as a cause, but so has water quality, among other lesser suggested causes.
Best to keep the water quality pristine and feed the fish a balanced diet that includes algae sheets.

It usually doesn't kill a fish but residual scaring is common after the erosions heal and are often gray in color.

More info:
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/sp/index.php

 

[Paul B]

Kathy is 100% correct, it seems that captivity causes it for lack of a better cause.
I find that any Hippo I have after four or five years starts to develop it. Some get it much sooner and a very few never get it.
They do not get it in the sea, I have seen many wild Hippo Tangs and never saw it.
It does not kill the fish as I have had quite a few of them live over 10 years with it.
Sometimes a small area on the face will develop the disease and not get worse for years. It sometimes seems cured but the scarring largely remains. The Hippo I have now has a little of it but he is old