Purple tang fin loss?

[KJ Coral shop]

Bought a purple tang that was missing a small piece of his dorsal fin, thought it was picked on. But now it is getting larger and tail has some missing now also. No noticeable parasites, other fish in tank not affected either. The tang is in otherwise great health and eats seaweed, flake, pellet, and frozen shrimp. Any ideas?

 

[KJ]

Any pic of the tang?

 

[KJ Coral shop]

 

[KJ Coral shop]

 

[sc50964]

Usually only see this severity of tissue deterioration due to ammonia burn or being picked on. Keep the water clean and well oxygenated, and provide a nice and nutritious diet.

 

[Humblefish]

Hmm. Could be a bacterial infection, although this also happens when a tang has HLLE: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hlle-head-lateral-line-erosion.259916/

Are you noticing any peeling of the fish's skin, as shown below?

 

[KJ Coral shop]

No, have seen that at lfs before, ammonia levels at zero. Been keeping reefs for over 20 years and have never seen this.

 

[Humblefish]

No, have seen that at lfs before, ammonia levels at zero. Been keeping reefs for over 20 years and have never seen this.

It's probably a bacterial infection then: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/bacterial-infections.191511/

You can try soaking fish food with vitamins and/or antibiotics to boost his natural immune system to deal with this problem.

But if that strategy doesn't work you'll probably need to QT him and dose antibiotics directly into the water.

 

[KJ Coral shop]

Will try bits on food and keep posting progress. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[KJ Coral shop]

Vitamins