kole tang has light patches

[felix5747]

i have a yellow eyed kole tang who seems to have lighter patches on his sides what could it be 0i thought it might just be from him getting in fight with my clownfish but i dont know he is still very active and is always out foraging and is skitish

[zhenya]

Hi Felix,

I moved your thread to this forum so you can get expert advice from Leebca, our own marine fish expert.

[felix5747]

thank you for you help

[leebca]

WELCOME TO REEFLAND!

Sorry to hear of the concerns you're having with the Kole Tang. One of my favs!

Tangs will alter their colors and patterns when they are upset or stressed. Tangs are quite often upset or stressed. If you're sure this isn't a stress reaction, and the fish looks the same throughout the day, then it could be a number of things, most of which relate to water quality.

Check all water quality then do a 60%+ water change. Repeat tests. Repeat the water change the next day (another 60%+). If the fish appears to improve (even a little bit after the water change), then there is a water quality problem. Continue water changes while you figure out the source of the water quality problem.

Are you feeding it correctly? You should be following these guidelines: Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition

Despite their relative hardiness, these like most Tangs are water quality sensitive.

If the fish doesn't improve or show signs of improvement from water changes, then I will need a few good photos to see what it is you're seeing, plus the test results, plus more information about your display tank and the system you are running.

Keep us informed!

[felix5747]

i had just recently did 2 water changes of ten gal (total of 20 gal in 2 day period) and i will do another tommorow but all my tests come in normal as of 130 pm today ph 8.3 ammonia 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 0 salinity is at 1.022 since it got these light patches i have been checking my levels daily and now his tail seems to be getting broken and its not that bad yet but i hope it does not get worse i feed it brine and the green formula 1 and the orange formula 1 for all my fish i have 2 clarki clowns a sixeline wrasse (which his tail has been looking kinda ragged to but his colors are very bright) dragon goby and a yellow watchman and a yellow tail damsel and all there colors and behaviors are normal the tang is my favorite fish it is absolutely beautiful

[leebca]

The choice of foods they are being fed are not nutritionally sound. The foods needs significant improvement. Rather than re-write it all, would you read this? Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition

The general reduction of appearance indicates a husbandry problem. I think the nutrition stress is a large factor. Without the proper nutrition the fish become slowly susceptible to common bacterial infections which they would otherwise be able to fight off.

Another is space stress. How large is your aquarium and is it adequate for those fishes?

Another is something not tested for and that is organic build-up. Are you using a skimmer, cleaning it every other day, and is it pulling out the organics properly? Is there any detritus in the system that is building up and not being removed?

It sounds like the problem could likely be a creeping bacterial infection. The cause(s) has to be corrected (start with the above list), and the affected fish could use an antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic treatment would need to be performed in a separate, hospital tank.

If nothing else, begin feeding the proper foods and I would also include immune boosters added to their foods starting today. Fish Immune Boosters

[felix5747]

i do feed fish in my tank formula 1 the green and orange and brine and i allso feed them chopped krill but i will go get immune boosters and yes i doo have a protien skimmer but its not pulling out much

[felix5747]

my tang is turning kinda pink

[leebca]

It is in part a food issue. Let me be specific:

The Kole Tang is a herbivore. It needs to eat more than 65% of its diet as vegetable products when it's young. Older ones need more like 90%.

Brine shrimp is pretty much worthless to marine fish as far as nutrition goes. Out of 21 feedings don't feed it more than 3 to 5 AND only feed gut loaded brine shrimp when you do.

Formula 1 says it is for herbivore fish, but it is a lie. If you'll take some time to read the ingredients you'll find that it contains animal products, land products, and down the list it has some veggies in it. This is not Tang food.

Chopped krill is not a herbivore food.

The previously provided references will give you some ideas and the right kinds of food to feed this fish. Start by offering marine algae every day on clip. Your omnivores will pick at it too once they understand what it is.

Loss of color can be poor nutrition. or environment (needing more space, water quality, tank mates, etc.), or both. ;;

[felix5747]

my tang is back to his dark color and is in better health i gave it some purple and green seaweed thank you alot

[mad_dog01]

Something to look for if the patches come back it could be the start of head and lateral line disease......stray voltage could cause this.....my clown tang and my yellow tang both had it. I put a stray voltage rod in my tank to make sure it wasn't the problem and treated with vitachem.....after 4 months the effects of HLL disease is almost gone. I'd watch that tang!