Yellow Tang….Strange Condition

[DanSReef]

I have had a yellow tang in my 72 gal reef for a couple of months now and he has settled in quite nicely. There has been any fighting among other inhabitants that include a pair of Green Chromis, TR Perculas, Copper Band Butterfly, Bumble Bee Damsel and Flame Angel… The Tang has been eating everything I offer it including seaweed, flake, Mysis, Rod’s, Roger’s……etc. Also, all water parameters are great. 0-5 Nitrates, Phosphates indicate 8, PH around 8 (needs to be higher), KH 8 dpk…..water temp 77-78 and salinity 1.025.

Over the last few days, the all yellow tang has been developing a red haze on the top of his body starting at the front base of his dorsal fin. It has progressed throughout his dorsal fin. I will try to take a picture of him later today. At first I thought perhaps he injured himself inside the tank somehow. I then ruled out fighting because all of his fins are intact….and no apparent injuries. My concern is there some sort of disease that presents itself like this….

I would appreciate any thoughts… Do these fish change color as they age???

 

[thereefersspot]

that is a fungal infection from the sounds of it, yellow tangs stay yellow, you should quarantine him and treat him ASAP before it spreads to the other fish

 

[DanSReef]

So.... the discoloration has faded away over the following week to my post. At the worst....it was pretty red/orange along the top of his body...and base of the dorsal fin. He had no apparent injuries...no loss energy or appetite... I have been monitoring him pretty closely...and his yellow color has completely returned.

At this point... I am going to continue to monitor things.....if it reappears I will post it here. In any event...it is not something I have seen in the years I have kept saltwater fish and reefs.

 

[yachtie]

I have had a yellow tang in my 72 gal reef for a couple of months now and he has settled in quite nicely. There has been any fighting among other inhabitants that include a pair of Green Chromis, TR Perculas, Copper Band Butterfly, Bumble Bee Damsel and Flame Angel… The Tang has been eating everything I offer it including seaweed, flake, Mysis, Rod’s, Roger’s……etc. Also, all water parameters are great. 0-5 Nitrates, Phosphates indicate 8, PH around 8 (needs to be higher), KH 8 dpk…..water temp 77-78 and salinity 1.025.

Over the last few days, the all yellow tang has been developing a red haze on the top of his body starting at the front base of his dorsal fin. It has progressed throughout his dorsal fin. I will try to take a picture of him later today. At first I thought perhaps he injured himself inside the tank somehow. I then ruled out fighting because all of his fins are intact….and no apparent injuries. My concern is there some sort of disease that presents itself like this….

I would appreciate any thoughts… Do these fish change color as they age???

if you are worried about the tang getting infections i suggest the following treatment. i use a product from microblift called herbtana and artemis. these help fish build up their immune system. i use these once a week ,just follow directions . it is used for introduction of new fish as well as a monthly antibacterial treatment. i have tangs and it really helps, i have not had one ich outbreak or other dieseases.