Brown spots on my Orange Shoulder tang

[frybread4life]

Not really sure what the spots are, if I need to be worried about them or what? He still eats like a pig and swims around fine and doesn't seem to be really stressed out from it, but I'd hate to lose a 6" tang...... Sorry about the picture quality, he's quick!

 

[Degener8]

How long has he been in the tank? How long have the spots been there? Was he quarintined and treated, freshwater dipped etc before additions.. ?
Can't tell from the picture are the dots raised or is it just discoloring?

 

[frybread4life]

I have had the fish for about 2 weeks, the spots showed up about 3 days ago. I did not quarantine him.

I more or less saved this fish from someone that had him in a 20 gallon tank with a system that would constantly have high nitrate spikes.

The spots are raised up a little bit.

 

[Degener8]

does it look like discolored ich? Do some google searches for black ich or tang black ich etc. This could be it but also do you have any anemone's in the tank? it could be he just jumped into one of those and got stung up which will heal in time.. he is a good size tang hopefully your tank is large enough to care for him long term. they can get to 12 to 14 inches in time.

 

[frybread4life]

After reading other forums on black ich. That sounds like the closest diagnosis as to his swimming patterns, etc. Now to try and catch the bugger and do this freshwater dip....

 

[Degener8]

Go slow make sure the PH and temp are the same as your tank currently. He was moved from a bad place to a better place just 2 weeks ago. Its likely the change is what made the ich pop out if thats what it is.
Watch him closely if you do the FW dip and if he starts showing to much stress put him back in the tank.

Just be careful and go slow. If he is eating good you got time to do more research and make sure this is the best solution.

 

[frybread4life]

well after about 4 hours of prepping things and having everything perfect.......He died......nothing like losing a $160 fish.....

 

[Degener8]

Eww sorry to hear that... how long did you have him in the fw dip or did you get that far?

Sorry for the loss.

 

[frybread4life]

Ten minutes is all, I went off of the Freshwater Dip Process guidelines. I'll get over it eventually. Just getting really tired of my fish luck. Definitely going somewhere else besides the LFS. Haven't had one thing survive, but keep trying to give them business to help them get up and started, but enough is enough.

 

[frybread4life]

But thank you for your help. It was appreciated. We tried and thats about all I can do

 

[Paul C.]

Tangs are tough. I went through 3 of them, before i just realized its something that i can not have in my tank for whatever reason...

 

[Degener8]

I hear ya on the fish luck thing. Read my thread in my signature and I am sure you will agree I have had poor luck also.
Quarantining is a definate for the long term survivability of our fish. Hang in there I am hoping my luck has turned its corner now also and I am sure yours will also.

I have a LFS i like and have tried to support as well but I think I am going the online route for fish from now on as well.

Hang in there

 

[frybread4life]

On the bright side, after completely taking out every single rock in my tank. I like the new aquascape!

 

[Degener8]

LOL there is a silver lining in everything if we look for it Do you have a tank thread.. if not.. GO START ONE..

 

[frybread4life]

Yea, I do. I should probably do a big update on all the shenanigans that have been happening with my tank. Give me something to do tonight

 

[frybread4life]

Ok, one more question. I had the LFS guy come over and tell me why all my fish are dying and he suggested that my vodka doser (Aquapure nitrate filtration system) could have done it. That I am trying to remove all the nitrates before they ever become a problem. My friend who had this vodka doser before I did had this system for a year before I did and never had a problem gave me the system which came out of his 120 gallon system. Is there any truth in what he is saying or is he just trying to cover his own tail?

 

[Degener8]

Umm never heard of clean water killing fish. Are the parameters all testing out ok. Things like PH alk etc?
The only way it would be killing fish is if you can get drunk off your tank water..

What are all your parameters?

 

[frybread4life]

Haha If I could get drunk off my tank I would be in 90 gallons of heaven! I only dose once a week and only 8 ml. Here are my last parameters as of 7-15:

Calcium - 420
Carbonate Hardiness - 7 dKh
Nitrate - 0.0
Phosphate - 0.0
PH - 8.4
Salinity - 1.023
Alkalinity - 5.6 KH
Magnesium - 1080

My Alkalinity is a little lower than I want as well as my magnesium, But I changed to the Red Sea Coral Pro salt and I dose for alkalinity and calcium using B-Ionic.

If you have a better suggestion please let me know! I'm just going by what the LFS people around the area have suggested. I'm not completely sold on anything.

 

[Degener8]

Everything looks real good, stability is the key. Look into bulk reef supply's 2 part mix. This will likely be alot cheaper in the long run for dosing those. I doubt that your alk is killing your fish though as long as they are acclimated properly.

Live aquaria and saltwaterfish.com are 2 companies I have ordered fish from in the past both have alive guarantees on their fish. You pay a little more with shipping but they are generally good healthy fish your getting.

Do you have any fish currently. If not maybe starting with something a bit more hardy like some chromis or clowns would be advisable at this point. Leave the more sensitive fish for a bit later on once you have gotten things sustainable.

 

[frybread4life]

Thanks for the input. I was actually thinking about doing the bulk reef supply alkalinity, calcium and magnesium 3 part mix. Thanks for the added boost towards them. I will definitely try that out once these bottles are gone. As far as fish, all I have left that are living and doing amazing are a scooter blenny and a six line wrasse.