Gem Tang bacteria infections

[ECKIM250]

Hello. I bought this gem tang the other day for super cheap because it either has a bacterial infection or a fungus. It looked treatable so I took the fish. I’ve had it in a 20 gallon long all by itself and it hasn’t been eating. I’ve put in some Melafix and also picked up some Metroplex today. Any suggestions?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello. I bought this gem tang the other day for super cheap because it either has a bacterial infection or a fungus. It looked treatable so I took the fish. I’ve had it in a 20 gallon long all by itself and it hasn’t been eating. I’ve put in some Melafix and also picked up some Metroplex today. Any suggestions?

This is facial erosion known as HLLE which cause pits and flesh missing mainly in tangs, angels and some rabbitfish. It is often caused by poor water quality, high use of carbon, poor water quality (elevated nitrate and ammonia) and inadequate/poor diet. It is not life threating in any way but offers secondary infection in some cases.
Maintaining GOOD water quality and diet are often the fixes and with severe cases, some healing.
Some foods to feed tang are :
LRS herbivore diet
Formula 2 flake and frozen
TDO Pellets
small plankton
Hikari Marine cuisine
Ocean nutrition veggie diet
spirulina brine shrimp
mysis shrimp
Prime reef
Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract

Add selcon vitamins to foods occasionally

 

[-JoJoReefing-]

If you see cloudy / cotton-like thing on those white patches that will be infection, if it is just white patch it is most likely HLLE mentioned above. I treated my fish’s infection with API E.M. ERYTHROMYCIN, and I heard kanaplex is also effective. If you just got him and he is not eating, maybe keep lights off and water clean and let it rest a night, try some garlic soaked mysis/seaweed next day.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hello. I bought this gem tang the other day for super cheap because it either has a bacterial infection or a fungus. It looked treatable so I took the fish. I’ve had it in a 20 gallon long all by itself and it hasn’t been eating. I’ve put in some Melafix and also picked up some Metroplex today. Any suggestions?

Tough to see exactly what you are describing. The fish does have minor HLLE, and that isn't fatal, but also isn't easily treated. The not eating is probably because it is in a smallish tank and may take time to settle in more. Be certain that the water quality is very good (no ammonia). Marine fish do not often get external fungal infections, so if the fish has skin lesions, they are bacterial. Melafix is more of a tonic than an antibiotic, I don't use it.

Here is our standard quarantine protocol for new fish:

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Jay