Does my Yellow Tang have black ich?

[TravelChaser]

Hey guys - new to the hobby. I've had this yellow tang for about 3-4 months. He eats both meaty food and nori pellets. He's eating fine but today I noticed the dark spot near his gills as well as what I think is black ich indicated by the black dots. Have a look at the picture, what do you guys think... black ich or some other bacterial infection?

Any advice on what to do? Thanks!!

 

[LJLKRL05]

Could be HLLE. Do you run carbon?

 

[landlubber]

I would agree. fortunately, lateral line erosion is easily curable by providing a varied diet including nori and pristine water.

 

[TravelChaser]

Could be HLLE. Do you run carbon?

I do run carbon via a BRS Carbon Reactor. I use their calculator to determine how much to use (80 total Gal, 1/2 cup of Carbon). I change it every 2-4 weeks.

 

[landlubber]

I do run carbon via a BRS Carbon Reactor. I use their calculator to determine how much to use (80 total Gal, 1/2 cup of Carbon). I change it every 2-4 weeks.

I generally only run carbon if there is an issue to resolve (removing medication or concerns with coral warfare and reduction of toxins) as it is definitely an issue with tangs and HLLE. I bet you pull that carbon and you'll see drastic improvement in that fish's health in 2 weeks.
uv and foam media are other, less impactful ways to clarify water if that was your reasoning for carbon.

 

[EmdeReef]

I wouldn’t think it’s Black Ich unless he’s got black/brown spots which don’t appear in pics. Has this just happened overnight or started slowly?

HLLE is possible though you’d expect it to be slower...looks a bit like an injury. Any aggression? Any water quality issues? Is he eating and acting fine otherwise? No rapid breathing or anything?

 

[TravelChaser]

I wouldn’t think it’s Black Ich unless he’s got black/brown spots which don’t appear in pics. Has this just happened overnight or started slowly?

HLLE is possible though you’d expect it to be slower...looks a bit like an injury. Any aggression? Any water quality issues? Is he eating and acting fine otherwise? No rapid breathing or anything?

It happened very recently. Either overnight or in the past day...

Don't think it's an injury. Only other tank inhabitants are two peaceful clowns in a 69G Display (Red Sea E260). My water quality is good... Only thing I can think of is, I've been running my Alk a bit higher in the 11.5-12 range for a couple weeks, I'm brining it back down to 10-ish now. He's eating like a clam.. I'm going to increase feedings a bit. I have an Apex Auto Fish Feeder and I think what tends to happen is the clowns hog a lot of the food before the timid tang can get to it. Maybe that's an issue? No rapid breathing or any other noticeable issues.

 

[EmdeReef]

It happened very recently. Either overnight or in the past day...

Don't think it's an injury. Only other tank inhabitants are two peaceful clowns in a 69G Display (Red Sea E260). My water quality is good... Only thing I can think of is, I've been running my Alk a bit higher in the 11.5-12 range for a couple weeks, I'm brining it back down to 10-ish now. He's eating like a clam.. I'm going to increase feedings a bit. I have an Apex Auto Fish Feeder and I think what tends to happen is the clowns hog a lot of the food before the timid tang can get to it. Maybe that's an issue? No rapid breathing or any other noticeable issues.

At that range alk wouldn’t really have an impact. Only issue would be ammonia and nitrite as both can cause blood vessels to burst causing reddish gills but then again other fish would likely be affected as well... if he’s eating and acting normal then that’s always a good sign!

I’m sure the experts will have more ideas @Humblefish, @4FordFamily

 

[Humblefish]

I think it's the early stages of HLLE: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

When I do run carbon, I only use BRS Rox 0.8 to avoid excessive carbon dust. However as mentioned above, poor nutrition can also be a factor as can stray voltage.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I think hlle and malnourishment, I don't see black ich.

Feed nori sheets and vegetarian based foods, as much variety as possible. Use vitamins such as selcon. Improve water quality. Make sure your carbon is well rinsed before use or just take it off.

I would also deworm as parasites could be robbing nutrients from your tang. Food soaked with metroplex+ focus works well.

Best of luck

 

[4FordFamily]

I see HLLE or a possible infection. I’d do as previously mentioned regarding diet. I haven’t had carbon cause HLLE ever in my tangs, I’ve run carbon in all of my tanks, I just rinse all the dust out thoroughly.

I’d keep an eye on it in case you’re dealing with an infection. If it is, you’ll need a QT, acriflavine for a bath, and the “trifecta”- Kanaplex, Metroplex, and Furan 2.