Help!! Maybe ich?

Free500 · Oct 9, 2016

My blue tang has been acting strange ever since sometime this week, maybe Monday/Tuesday? Has these weird spots on it's head and will dig into the sand on the ground a lot and also rub against the glass and rocks. The color also looks very pale and not as bright blue as it was before. I think it may have ich, but my dad said my other clownfish in the tank too is acting normal, so it can't be ich. The blue tang used to always hide behind rocks and now it doesn't and is always right infront of the tank. A couple of hours ago, I noticed it was laying flat at the top of the tank then would swim back down. It also seems to have a bit of trouble swimming. We're going to test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates in the morning also.

I've had this blue tang and clownfish for about more than 5 years now and we just recently moved into a new house about a week ago and put them into a smaller tank for right now because we're still setting up the big tank. My dad also recently bought cleaner shrimp on Wednesday. Any help is appreciated, thanks!!

helen ann · Oct 9, 2016

Sorry, about your blue tang

I will call the fish doctor for you @Humblefish

Kind of looks like Head & Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Check this link: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

Here are other most common fish diseases:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/treatment-options-index.247573/

MasterBacon · Oct 9, 2016

#reefsquad

MasterBacon · Oct 9, 2016

Didn't I read that they can harbor a problem or it is dormant in the tank but susceptible to return after a move or stressful event?

Duke4Life · Oct 9, 2016

MasterBacon said:
Didn't I read that they can harbor a problem or it is dormant in the tank but susceptible to return after a move or stressful event?

Yes, if not properly quarantined. Fish can be a carrier and show no signs.

Humblefish · Oct 9, 2016

Those white splotches on his face, have they always been there or is that a recent development? They look sorta fluke-like, although it may just be HLLE.

melypr1985 · Oct 9, 2016

Your pictures don't show signs of ick. That appears to be HLLE. It can be treated with some degree of success

Free500 · Oct 9, 2016

Humblefish said:
Those white splotches on his face, have they always been there or is that a recent development? They look sorta fluke-like, although it may just be HLLE.

The white splotches are recent, it was never there before.

Free500 · Oct 9, 2016

helen ann said:
Sorry, about your blue tang
I will call the fish doctor for you @Humblefish

Kind of looks like Head & Lateral Line Erosion (HLLE)
Check this link: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

Here are other most common fish diseases:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/treatment-options-index.247573/

Thank you!!! I was thinking it could be this too, but wasn't 100% sure.