Yellow Tang Dorsal Fin Damage

[Matthew40b]

Hey everyone, I have had this yellow tang for a few years and moved him over to a newer tank setup a few months ago. Since then his dorsal fin has become worn down and I cant figure out why. I feed him mysis shrimp, green seaweed, and flakes so I dont think its his diet. It it possible my rockwork is too low and his fin is being worn down by rubbing against the rock? Also hes in the tank alone so there aren't any other fish doing it. Thank you for your help!

 

[fishski13]

Fin rot is usually a sign of poor diet (which you stated you are feeding a variety which means this is probably not the case) or bad water quality that causes stress. How is your water looking like?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fin rot is usually a sign of poor diet (which you stated you are feeding a variety which means this is probably not the case) or bad water quality that causes stress. How is your water looking like?

Fin rot due to bacterial issue and Not poor diet . Poor diet often contributes to HLLE

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hey everyone, I have had this yellow tang for a few years and moved him over to a newer tank setup a few months ago. Since then his dorsal fin has become worn down and I cant figure out why. I feed him mysis shrimp, green seaweed, and flakes so I dont think its his diet. It it possible my rockwork is too low and his fin is being worn down by rubbing against the rock? Also hes in the tank alone so there aren't any other fish doing it. Thank you for your help!

Looks like a result of aggression. If the fish was Not purchased this way, it is likely a tankmate. Not fin rot as the edges are healed over. Damage like this will heal and regorw on its own but may have imperfection due to often, not fully redeveloped.

 

[Matthew40b]

Fin rot is usually a sign of poor diet (which you stated you are feeding a variety which means this is probably not the case) or bad water quality that causes stress. How is your water looking like?

I dont do water changes on that tank as often as my other ones because I dont have any coral in it. I usually do one every 2 to 3 weeks. Ill try weekly water changes to see if that helps

 

[Matthew40b]

Fin rot due to bacterial issue and Not poor diet . Poor diet often contributes to HLLE

If this were the case how should I go about treating?

 

[Matthew40b]

Looks like a result of aggression. If the fish was Not purchased this way, it is likely a tankmate. Not fin rot as the edges are healed over. Damage like this will heal and regorw on its own but may have imperfection due to often, not fully redeveloped.

There aren't any other fish in the tank so that why I thought maybe it was the rockwork

 

[vetteguy53081]

There aren't any other fish in the tank so that why I thought maybe it was the rockwork

generally rocks dont take off fins Unless the tang got well wedged within the rock structure

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hey everyone, I have had this yellow tang for a few years and moved him over to a newer tank setup a few months ago. Since then his dorsal fin has become worn down and I cant figure out why. I feed him mysis shrimp, green seaweed, and flakes so I dont think its his diet. It it possible my rockwork is too low and his fin is being worn down by rubbing against the rock? Also hes in the tank alone so there aren't any other fish doing it. Thank you for your help!

That isn't typical fin rot, or fin damage from abrasion. See how the margins are smooth? That is some sort of chronic regression. Here is the odd thing about yellow tangs. They don't show head and lateral live erosion the same as other fish do (pits around the head and lateral line). Instead, they show erosion/regression of their unpaired fins (dorsal and anal fins, usually not the caudal fin). I think that is what you are seeing here.

It is caused by carbon use for sure, and possibly other factors. There is no cure once the erosion has progressed.

Here is an extreme example:

 

[Matthew40b]

That isn't typical fin rot, or fin damage from abrasion. See how the margins are smooth? That is some sort of chronic regression. Here is the odd thing about yellow tangs. They don't show head and lateral live erosion the same as other fish do (pits around the head and lateral line). Instead, they show erosion/regression of their unpaired fins (dorsal and anal fins, usually not the caudal fin). I think that is what you are seeing here.

It is caused by carbon use for sure, and possibly other factors. There is no cure once the erosion has progressed.

Here is an extreme example:

I have run carbon in that tank before. So even if I start doing more frequent water changes his fin wont grow back? Will it only get worse from here?

 

[MnFish1]

I dont do water changes on that tank as often as my other ones because I dont have any coral in it. I usually do one every 2 to 3 weeks. Ill try weekly water changes to see if that helps

IMHO - (agree with @vetteguy53081 ) it does not look like 'fin rot' (i.e. nothing to treat. On the other hand - I think you should have pristine water conditions. Poor diet DOES cause decreased resistance to bacterial infections - or fungal, etc.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have run carbon in that tank before. So even if I start doing more frequent water changes his fin wont grow back? Will it only get worse from here?

It may not get worse if you stop carbon, feed it well and keep up with water changes. It likely won’t heal back all the way though.
Jay