Fish recovering from HLLE flashing/rubbing

[Projects with Sam]

I got a 2 hippo tang from my lfs at a super steep discount because they had severe cases of HLLE. nonetheless, they've been rubbing up on things in the tank and I've just assumed they had ich. None of my other fish display this tendency. I gave them a FWD to check for flukes and didn't find any. I only saw one white spot but I am thinking it could have been sand from the rubbing. otherwise any white on the fish has been dispersed (like from scratching on rocks.)

Nonetheless, They were so far off that they would have died from ich if they had it in the lfs. Is it possible they are just itching because their new skin that is growing back is just itchy? (They were pretty much clear when I got them.)

Like how the new skin we regrow under a scab is itchy?

 

[bruno3047]

HLLE looks like a very annoying, irritating thing to go through. I’ve never had any fish like yours, but I think your guess sounds reasonable.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I got a 2 hippo tang from my lfs at a super steep discount because they had severe cases of HLLE. nonetheless, they've been rubbing up on things in the tank and I've just assumed they had ich. None of my other fish display this tendency. I gave them a FWD to check for flukes and didn't find any. I only saw one white spot but I am thinking it could have been sand from the rubbing. otherwise any white on the fish has been dispersed (like from scratching on rocks.)

Nonetheless, They were so far off that they would have died from ich if they had it in the lfs. Is it possible they are just itching because their new skin that is growing back is just itchy? (They were pretty much clear when I got them.)

Like how the new skin we regrow under a scab is itchy?

HLLE doesn't really cause scratching. It is really easy to miss flukes in a dip without a microscope. Only one species of fluke can be easily seen with the naked eye, the others need a scope.

How long ago did you give the dip? If there are flukes, the fish will still scratch for a day or two, but then it should get better (until the flukes return).

Jay

 

[Projects with Sam]

I did the dip about two weeks ago. I did FWD one day and Seachem Paraguard the next. I am currently treating the tank with PolypLabs Medic and UV just in case it is ich. Both fish have had Metroplex & Kanaplex in their food with Focus and VitaChem (now SELCON) for two 10 day feeding periods.
They are still lively and eating so I'll just wait and see. Will probably do a fallow period once I'm done stocking and have my fishroom/QT setup finished.