Yellow Tang Darkening

[sdt11]

This morning I noticed those dark spots on my yellow tang. So he has been in Copper, 2.1, for 6 days. he was eating but was very skittis. I did a water change yesterday and didn’t notice the spots but I didn’t spend a lot of time with them. I usually sit next to the QT tank while working. I also noticed his right fin is tore up a bit, not sure if he got it in the circulating pump. The QT has been up and running for about 4 months and the nitrites were 0 and the nitrates were 20-50 before the 50% water change.

 

[DeniseAndy]

My understanding with using copper is it can cause "temporary" discoloration. Now, I do NOT use copper, so not 100% sure. However, I can give an example of a tang I got that was at a lfs in copper for about 2 months. It was blotchy like that (this was a Kole tang). After about 4 weeks in my qt, it was not so blotchy. Now, in my dt for several months it is normal coloration. Good luck with your guy.
He has some ragged fins too. Others will chime in who use copper!

 

[sdt11]

Thanks for the input. I will have to look into the fin looking ragged.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the input. I will have to look into the fin looking ragged.

Any other fish in the tank with it?
Jay

 

[sdt11]

There is a foxface and a lawnmower blenny, both eating and acting normal.

 

[Speaker]

Probably HLLE from copper. Feed him some food soaked in selcon.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I was able to expand photo and it looks like some bacterial issue going on and associated with water quality and also a dietary issue.
Its more than just soaking food in selcon. Please (as Jay often asks) post your water parameters(readings) . Norms would be:
Temp 77-79
salinity 1.024-1.025
ph 8.1 - 8.3
Ammonia < .03
nitrate < .04
Phos < .05

Recommended foods:
Spirulina brine shrimp
Nori seaweed basted with garlic extract
Mysis shrimp
small plankton
LRS Herbivore diet
Formula 2 frozen and flake formula

ADD GARLIC EXTRACT TO FOODS 2-3X WEEKLYfor immunity health and SELOCON VITAMINS ALTERNATING DAYS for vitality and overall health

 

[vetteguy53081]

Probably HLLE from copper. Feed him some food soaked in selcon.

For reference, this is HLLE:

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

There is a foxface and a lawnmower blenny, both eating and acting normal.

I’m trying to figure out what happened to its tail, looks like a bite wound.
The discoloration isn’t HLLE, I’ve run hundreds of yellow tangs through copper and never had one change color like that. The coloration is mirrored on both sides?
Jay