Weird White Spots on Hippo Tang

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So the last time a fish of mine got a bacterial infection I tried to catch it and ultimately made things worse and the fish died.

Is this something where feeding a good diet will resolve it on it it's own, or do you think I need to bring the fish into a QT and treat for the infection?

Velvet is less of a concern for me, I've seen that before in my own tank and the fish were dropping like flies. If I start seeing that I'll pull the dry rock, dose copper, and add some biomedia. I've done it before And I can do it again

That's a tough call; if the fish is acting normally and eating well, I would be inclined to just watch it for now. I don't see much other than the chin ulcer in the last photos you provided...

Jay

 

[LikeRichMahogany]

That's a tough call; if the fish is acting normally and eating well, I would be inclined to just watch it for now. I don't see much other than the chin ulcer in the last photos you provided...

Jay

This fish is a cow. Eats more than I do! I'm feeding well, Ocean One Pellets, twice a day, a combinations of Frozen Mysis and fish eggs, and about a quarter sheet every couple days

 

[LikeRichMahogany]

This fish is a cow. Eats more than I do! I'm feeding well, Ocean One Pellets, twice a day, a combinations of Frozen Mysis and fish eggs, and about a quarter sheet every couple days

@Jay Hemdal Update on this; I’m calling this ich, as I have seen it now spread to my yellow tang. Three days and no fatality as of yet. So velvet seems unlikely. The blue tang is still eating, and I have now got my UV Sterilizer running as well. Regarding the yellow tang however, following the tear down of my previous tank, he has stopped eating, it’s been about three months since I’ve seen him eat in person and I’m not sure what to do about it. It’s really strange because when I feed he goes nuts and swims all over the tank like the other fish, but doesn’t try to eat anything. Previously he ate everything, but now nothing. I have some small concern of lockjaw, but it looks like his mouth is still opening and closing.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

@Jay Hemdal Update on this; I’m calling this ich, as I have seen it now spread to my yellow tang. Three days and no fatality as of yet. So velvet seems unlikely. The blue tang is still eating, and I have now got my UV Sterilizer running as well. Regarding the yellow tang however, following the tear down of my previous tank, he has stopped eating, it’s been about three months since I’ve seen him eat in person and I’m not sure what to do about it. It’s really strange because when I feed he goes nuts and swims all over the tank like the other fish, but doesn’t try to eat anything. Previously he ate everything, but now nothing. I have some small concern of lockjaw, but it looks like his mouth is still opening and closing.

Ugh, three months without food is likely a systemic issue, and probably won't be fixable. When a fish goes that long without food, they utilize their liver for energy and then, even if they do start feeding again, their liver is just too damaged....

Here is an article I wrote on this topic some time ago:

Chronic Anorexia in Aquarium Fishes

Don't fall into the trap of assuming the fish will begin feeding when it gets hungry enough, or conclude it must be eating something, just not when you are watching.

reefs.com

Jay