HLLE or not?

[SaltlifeHokie]

Just got this Purple Tang in from NYAquatics today. He seems healthy and has been eating and swimming by. His fins at the top are discolored some and near his eyes is a spot. Is this the start of HLLE or just a young tang that was in a bag for 24 hours and stressed?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I personally don’t see any HLLE. Probably just stress.

 

[SaltlifeHokie]

Here’s 2 more pictures that are better. He’s lost color in these spots and it’s white. Definitely not ich or salt like just isn’t purple like the rest of him.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Not going to rule out the beginnings of HLLE with your new pictures, but it’s most likely stress. Feed well including Nori.

 

[SaltlifeHokie]

@Jay Hemdal ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That’s known as epithelial thinning. I see it in young Zebrasoma and Hepatus tangs. It sometimes develops into classic deep lesion HLLE, but it can also go away on its own. I don’t know the cause. The first batch of captive raised yellow tangs had it pretty bad, but they seemed to outgrow it.
I’m more worried about the damage to its dorsal fin, keep an eye on that.
What is your quarantine plan for this fish?
Jay

 

[SaltlifeHokie]

We’ll I’m open to whatever you may suggest. I plan on keeping him in QT for about 45-60 days. He’s in copper now. Then I usually run Prazi followed by observation and trying to fatten them up. Any specific medications I need to be using or treating with to get his fins back to full color?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

We’ll I’m open to whatever you may suggest. I plan on keeping him in QT for about 45-60 days. He’s in copper now. Then I usually run Prazi followed by observation and trying to fatten them up. Any specific medications I need to be using or treating with to get his fins back to full color?

That's the schedule & meds I would use for it. If the fin gets worse, you may need to consider some antibiotic. Feed him up as much as you can (don't overwhelm your biofilter in the QT).

Jay