[jsgates]

My tank is doing well, and no other fish have been affected, but one day about a month ago, this white line showed up on my Tomini Tang. He is still still doing well, but this has been on his left side for several weeks now. It appears to be getting better. Looks as if he rubbed up against a rock or something. I have done some searching on google for fish diseases, but I'm not sure if this is a disease, or just an injury. I was hoping somebody here could shed some light. Here is the best pic I could get. Moving fish are hard to get a close-up pic! Thanks for any help or suggestions.

[pogodzib]

Your tang has head and lateral line erosion (HLLE). It is very common with tangs that are suffering from malnutrition, poor water quality, or stray voltage in the tank. HLLE, by itself, won't kill your fish, but it is a sign that your fish is suffering from something so you should make sure that your tang gets plenty of greens and make sure that your water quality is good.

[jsgates]

Thanks. I'm doing weekly water changes and the water is testing good. I feed Julian Sprungs Seaweed (purple) daily, and a flake food daily. Mysis is fed every other day. Any suggesions on the feeding? Thanks.

[pogodzib]

How old is the tank and what other type of algae eating (herbivore) fish do you have? Tangs like to graze on algae all day so one feeding a day of may not be enough if the tank is algae free and you have other algae eating fish. Also, make sure that it gets fed a mixture of different types of green algaes.

[jsgates]

The tank is almost 10 months old. There is also a Foxface, Blue Hippo, Lawnmower Blenny, & two True Percula Clowns. I started feeding the purple algae sheets twice daily and feed a high-grade flake from the LFS. What other veggies should I mix in? Maybe a green seaweed? I'm about to order some Coral Frenzy and another PH & DKH test kit since my first one is almost out, and I'd like to get some more variety for these fish. The Tomini Tang is looking alot better now. I went ahead and did an extra water change this week too. The Blue Hippo is doing great! Growing fast! Thanks for the help.

[JackedupSOB]

Maybe the tang got spiked or tried to squeeze into a tigth crevice, is my thought just because you said that the injury is healing up

[DEWAYNE]

exactly, my sailfin is alot better now, but I had the same problem with him, he is still healing after 6 months.

[jsgates]

The Tomini has healed up completely now and is doing well. Just wanted to update everyone.

[pogodzib]

Glad to hear that. Did you do anything different with his diet or the tank's water quality?

[jsgates]

Nothing really with water quality....just did an extra water change. Started feeding a little bit more seaweed. He like s the purple, but will hardly eat the red and the green Julian Sprungs. I try to mix it up a bit more with the types of seaweed now.