Blue Hippo Tang with Pock Marks

[Drewb628]

I've had my fish in a QT tank for about a month now. They are waiting out the fallow period on some marine velvet in the DT. It is my blue hippo, and 2 clown fish. My blue hippo has been very sluggish past couple of days, and didn't eat today so I did a couple of water changes. He seems to be doing better, but I noticed these pock marks all over his face. I haven't ever noticed them before.

Nothing has been introduced to the QT tank in over month, I'm feeding frozen mysis shrimp/extreme seaweed pellets, and I don't notice any aggression between him and the clown fish (probably the opposite). Any ideas? I'm going to order a nori clip just incase he isn't getting a diverse enough nutrition. Picture attached. They are little divots or pock marks all over his face.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Those are facial pores that are developing into head and lateral line erosion (HLLE), very commonly seen in this species. It isn’t fatal, and isn’t related to the sluggishness or lack of feeding (keep an eye on those symptoms).
HLLE in surgeonfish is often caused by carbon use at some point, usually 4 weeks or so prior to the onset of symptoms.
Jay

 

[Drewb628]

Those are facial pores that are developing into head and lateral line erosion (HLLE), very commonly seen in this species. It isn’t fatal, and isn’t related to the sluggishness or lack of feeding (keep an eye on those symptoms).
HLLE in surgeonfish is often caused by carbon use at some point, usually 4 weeks or so prior to the onset of symptoms.
Jay

Thank you for replying! I just recently put the carbon pack back in the filtration because I was running copper in the system for the velvet. Guess I will be taking that back out. I also put a ground in the tank in case of stray voltage, and have a nori clip on the way just in case diet isn't helping.