Is this HLLE

[Cment]

Ive had this white tail bristeltooth tang for 2 1/2 months and just completed 30 days of copper along with 2 rounds of prazi. He has had these dark markings around both eyes since I got him. They dont look to be getting worse but they are just not going away and his coloration just is not vibrant. Hes eating great, I feed at least four times a day with LRS, spirulina brine, mysis, calcanus with selcon. He hasnt taken to red algae or nori yet but will eat hikari spirulina sinking pellets. Not sure what to do. Hes pretty much runs the QT and I havent seen any aggression with any other fish. FWIW, QT is 55g with heniocus, flame angel, leopard wrasse, 4 lyretail anthias and a watchmen goby. I do a 50% water change every other day. Any ideas?

 

[Humblefish]

It looks like HLLE to me, which is common with tangs recently exposed to copper. Soaking his food with Selcon & Zoecon (on alternating days) should clear it up.

 

[melypr1985]

agreed ^^

 

[Cment]

thanks for the response guys! how long does it usually take to resolve itself?

 

[melypr1985]

Depends on the fish, water quality, food quality ect. It can start to heal over within a week OR it might not fully heal over. He could be left with scars from it. It's hard to predict the outcome on something like that.

 

[4FordFamily]

As an observation, that appears to be a stress coloration for the fish. Do you have a bubbler or powerhead aimed at surface? Any other ailments?

I agree that it’s HLLE and to keep water quality high and add zoecon and selcon.

 

[Cment]

As an observation, that appears to be a stress coloration for the fish. Do you have a bubbler or powerhead aimed at surface? Any other ailments?

I agree that it’s HLLE and to keep water quality high and add zoecon and selcon.

I have a bubble rated for a 100g along with a PP-8 aimed at the surface so I think there’s sufficient O2 exchange. No other aliments after copper. He would flash on occasion but hasn’t since completing copper 2 weeks ago.

 

[4FordFamily]

I have a bubble rated for a 100g along with a PP-8 aimed at the surface so I think there’s sufficient O2 exchange. No other aliments after copper. He would flash on occasion but hasn’t since completing copper 2 weeks ago.

Has he always been that lightly colored? Most white tails are significantly darker. Any stressful tankmates? Bristlooth lighten with stress or disease, considerably.

 

[Cment]

Has he always been that lightly colored? Most white tails are significantly darker. Any stressful tankmates? Bristlooth lighten with stress or disease, considerably.

Since I got him he’s been this light. I thought it was just stress but obviously it hasn’t gone away. He seems to get along with all the tank mates and I haven’t seen any aggression. If anything he runs the tank.