[leathaw]

My Blue Hippo Tang which I recently added I believe is looks a bit sickly. I had a hard time getting a good view on him when purchasing him at the store, and took the owner's advice that he was very healthy. Of course he immediately hid after introducing him, but he has been in for about a week and is out about now, and I noticed what looks like small scarring on him, and I recently lost an Ocellaris Clown to Ich. As of now, he is the only fish currently in my tank. I'm just trying to get a good feel on whether this is an issue I should worry myself about. Any replies or input here will help greatly. Thank you.

[rlcline76]

Where on the body is the scarring?

[gramesy777]

did you ask the store to feed the fish for you? I would also strongly suggest using a qt....this issue could have been avoided if you noticed the problem before putting the fish into your tank

[Marine1]

I had a hippo tang that developed some scaring. It turned out to be Head & Lateral Line Erosion Disease (H&LLED). Take a look at this site: Marine Head & Lateral Line Erosion: A Description of the Syndrome and a Review of its Speculated Causes by Steven Pro - Reefkeeping.com

There are many "theories" as to why this disease occurs, but there seems to be no single definitive answer that can be pinpointed or connected to it. Many of the theories include stray voltage in the aquarium, poor water quality and environmental conditions, high nitrate levels, lack of vitamins and poor nutrition, stress, parasitic infestation (a protozoan, Octomita necatrix), using carbon, and that some fish may just be genetically pre-disposed to this disease condition, such as Purple & Hippo Tangs.

Stray voltage induces stress, so adding a grounding probe to the aquarium is a wise thing to do in any case. For poor water quality and environmental issues, follow good regular aquarium maintenance routines. Reduce and eliminate any other stress inducing factors, correctly diagnosis for parasites and always feed fishes foods that any particular species require in their diets.

I hope yours doesn't have this. Its very hard if not impossible to reverse.

[rlcline76]

HLLE is what I was thinking, too, but a picture would be great.
Really, overall, QT is important AND you are going to need a bigger tank, a 44 is way too small.

[Jeremy0322]

When the clown died of ick was it in the main tank. If so how long did you let it sit before adding the tang. It may be in danger of getting it aswell if it was recent..

[leathaw]

Thank you. I read something yesterday about it and I thought it may be that as well. I've done a water change and am always keeping an eye on my tanks balance. My heater is grounded so there is no worry of stray voltage. As far as I can tell, there is no stressers. I did ask the storeowner to feed the fish and he is still eating fine. I am having a hard time getting him to eat off the veggie clip, so I may just try some different type of algae clip, but he is eating off the live rock just fine. Also, I know eventualy I'm going to have to buy a larger tank, but he is only 1 inch right now, so I believe the tanks size with be fine while I raise the money to purchase something around the size of a 100 gallon, with all the necessary supplies for it. I'm going to reply again here with a picture, but its 4am and not time for me to turn on his light yet. Thank you again everyone for your help and any additional comments or replies will still be helpful.