Blue Tang sick?

[Tas]

Blue Tang, 2.5 years old, 5 inches, in 80 gal tank with 3 other small and docile fish. Regularly maintained, water change each 2 weeks. Brilliant blue/black. About 3 months ago began showing what looked like small patches of skin erosion around eyes and forward base of top fin. Since then now has large patches of this erosion (no longer blue, kind of mottled gray) on each side of his face (about half the face area) and extending down almost to the rear of the top fin. He eats well, seems normally active. Tried to get pic good enough to illustrate but can't. Fellow that services tank says its unfortunate but not anything dangerous...I'm doubting him at this point. Any ideas???

All water readings are normal (salinity/ph/etc)

[leebca]

I have ideas, but they aren't all that useful unless I can see a photo of the fish and clearly see the condition you describe.

From the description, this can be anything from mal-nutrition to disease, with a few others (like water quality) in between. The age of the fish makes it unlikely to be a water quality issue, but increases the chance it is mal-nutrition in the sense something is missing or the quantity of something is short, in its diet.

[Tas]

I have ideas, but they aren't all that useful unless I can see a photo of the fish and clearly see the condition you describe.

From the description, this can be anything from mal-nutrition to disease, with a few others (like water quality) in between. The age of the fish makes it unlikely to be a water quality issue, but increases the chance it is mal-nutrition in the sense something is missing or the quantity of something is short, in its diet.

This is best picture I can get. If you zoom on his face you can see accurate dispersion of the erosion. In person view, however, shows much more distinct discoloration. It is on face, around eye, same on both sides of face. Also at base of top fin throughout length. Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[leebca]

It's either water quality or nutrition or both.

You may sample the water and do tests like most hobbyists do, but not find the problem with the water. Here is a good read on that subject: What is Water Quality

Regarding nutrition, most hobbyists haven't got much help from LFSs and even other hobbyists. You might be one that has not been given much info in this area. This fish looks like it is having a nutrition problem -- something not right in its diet.

The 'not right' can come in a couple of different forms: Not enough food; not the right food; not enough of the right foods. Start by reading these and see how what you feed, the quantity and types of foods matches what is recommended in these posts:
Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition
and
How To Feed Macro Alage to Marine Fishes
and
Food Presentation

This fish is in the transitional phase of moving toward being more and more a herbivore. It needs supplemental vitamins and fats. This you'll learn, along with recommended foods, in the above linked posts.

Part of the problem at this point in time is that our marine fishes get into habits very easily. Your fish may not want to eat the right foods! You'll need to do some training if you are to save this fish. The above post will give you some ideas on how to do this.

I really want you to do the reading, despite the length of these posts. However, if you list what it is you feed this fish, how much of it you feed at each feeding, how often you feed (once per day, etc.), etc. I will point out any obvious concerns.

[Tas]

It's either water quality or nutrition or both.

You may sample the water and do tests like most hobbyists do, but not find the problem with the water. Here is a good read on that subject: What is Water Quality

Regarding nutrition, most hobbyists haven't got much help from LFSs and even other hobbyists. You might be one that has not been given much info in this area. This fish looks like it is having a nutrition problem -- something not right in its diet.

The 'not right' can come in a couple of different forms: Not enough food; not the right food; not enough of the right foods. Start by reading these and see how what you feed, the quantity and types of foods matches what is recommended in these posts:
Feeding Marine Fish and Fish Nutrition
and
How To Feed Macro Alage to Marine Fishes
and
Food Presentation

This fish is in the transitional phase of moving toward being more and more a herbivore. It needs supplemental vitamins and fats. This you'll learn, along with recommended foods, in the above linked posts.

Part of the problem at this point in time is that our marine fishes get into habits very easily. Your fish may not want to eat the right foods! You'll need to do some training if you are to save this fish. The above post will give you some ideas on how to do this.

I really want you to do the reading, despite the length of these posts. However, if you list what it is you feed this fish, how much of it you feed at each feeding, how often you feed (once per day, etc.), etc. I will point out any obvious concerns.

FIRST TO LEE.... I see your suggestion to post on a certain forum, I AM on that forum, no? If not, would you please let me know where you wish me to post? Thanks.

TO LEEBCA... I could be wrong but I'm astonished at the results in my tank in just 24 hours after I made an adjustment based on your note. A more complete picture of the situation is that in addition to the Blue Tang matter, the Yellow Tang has over the last few months begun a significant color loss in his top fin, my Foxface no longer turns yellow and swims smoothly...just remains dark. They all languish in the rocks instead of actively swimming around like they used to, but they all eat robustly.

Reading your email I couldn't understand what could be wrong. I feed them Mysis Shrimp and Green Emerald daily, with a small portion of Spirulina flake food in afternoon. The water is checked by the service company about every 14 days. Yesterday the service people came out and I relayed your info. They said the water was fine as they test it each visit. I said I never noticed them checking salinity and they said they don't because all water they use is pre-mixed at their office. I asked for them to check it and it came out at 1.15. They added salt and brought it up to 1.21.

24 hours later (this morning) I walked in and was amazed at the difference. The Foxface was all yellow and lazily swimming back and forth in the tank. All the other fish were out and swimming as they used to. Could that relatively small salinity degradation have caused all this?? I am thinking perhaps, as it may have existed for several months.

I don't expect for the erosion of color and skin to be reversed but I am grateful for what appears to be a return of good health.

All of your responses are so appreciated. Thank you!

[leebca]

I travel a lot for my work. I use a service, too. However, choosing the right one can be tricky. Ultimately, you're the one that has to be responsible for their actions (or lack of actions). To do this, you need to know the facts on what is important and what it is they should be doing.

But, there are different 'levels' of involvement by tank owners.

Many people who hire outside care givers want to avoid having to know these things, and leave it up to the service people. In these cases it isn't possible to get help from a forum like this. The person posting isn't the one with the information; the service people are in denial.

The salinity should not have been the problem. A 'recovery' after a water change implies a problem with the water. What the problem is, isn't likely to be found by the service people who already believe the water is fine. When they added more 'salt' remember they also added more micro elements to the water. So it is more than just the salt content that was changed.

I'd still move towards improving their diet, keeping in mind the herbivores and omnivores are not getting enough greens from the diet you've described. You'll need to start providing macro algae as per the linked post.

Unless you want to make an all-out effort at investigating, measuring, then controlling your water quality, then there isn't much more to do than improve the diet.

[leebca]

I am uncertain about your comment regarding LEE.