Pictures of unknown problem

[fishfisher]

Hello,
I don't know if these images will show. I have an Achilles tang, Bird Wrasse, and Marroon Clown in a 100 gallon tank. The achilles tang showed little spots that looked like rice grains about 6 months ago. Since then, the spots have multiplied and grown larger and deeper. It started on its face and is not moving down its back. The wrasse is now showing similar symptoms and the clown's fins looked like they were tattering along with the tang's fins. Since the disease started I have slowly lost a trigger, yellow tangs, emperor angel, hogfish, and a royal gramma. Most of these did not show signs of disease until they died. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Any suggestions on how to cure it?
Thanks,
Josh.

 

[alyssia]

Check out HLLE in the diseased fish thread at the top.

 

[fishfisher]

Thanks for the reply, but what is HLLE?

 

[lion_crazz]

HLLE stands for Head and Lateral Line Errosion and occurs because of a very poor diet, bad water quality, and stray voltage in the aquarium.

 

[beth]

HLLE. What are your water readings, including nitrates? Is there LR in your tank? Ground probe installed?

 

[fishfisher]

Here are the results of my readings:
pH 8.15
NH3 0
NH2 0
Nh3 15
Salinity 1.024
My tank is 100 gallons, no LR- only 3 fish, and has been running for a year. I don't know what a ground probe is. I just checked the salt for the first time in months, and saw that it is high. I checked the surface with a volt tester for current, but found nothing. I am now starting to become suspicious of the water that I have used thus far to fill the tank. I have been using well water out of my faucet. I have a packet of Chemipure carbon that only covers a corner of the top of my filter medium. That should take out all disolved compounds, correct? In conclusion, the only possible problems I see, are the salinity and the water source. Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[lion_crazz]

My main problem is the lack of live rock with such delicate fish as tangs.
The salinity is not an issue if it is accurately at 1.024. My tank runs consistently at 1.026.
We do need to know the diet you have the fish on. Because there is no live rock, you should be feeding your fish A LOT. As well as feeding your fish a lot, it will not do any good if it is not of nutritious substance.

 

[fishfisher]

I have algae strips, formula 2 frozen cubes, Omega marine flakes, and algae growth on my rock. However, the tang will not eat the thawed formula 2 food and the wrasse will devour, whole, any sized strip of algae that I clip inside the tank. Thus, for the last few months, I have only been feeding them Omega marine flakes.
Prior to about Christmas I was feeding lots of formula one flake food, formula one frozen food, and algae strips and the disease always grew. Is it possible that my chemipure carbon sack might not be catching dissolved compounds in my well water? I have been using well water since the begining (one year ago.) Is this likely to affect the fish? Thanks very much for your help.

 

[lion_crazz]

Harmful components in well water could definitely affect the fish.
That diet, even if they were eating it all, would stil not be adequate. You need a lot more variety in there, and at this point, you definitely need vitamins. Selcon, Zoe, and VitaChem will all help combat HLLE. Adding these vitamins to the fish's food on a daily basis will greatly help the fish heal up.
Pick up some more different types of frozen food. I would recommend at least 2 to 3 more different types of formulas.
Instead of clipping the algae sheet inside the tank, break it up into little pieces and put some into the water. All of your fish should go after this.
Have you had your water parameters tested against someone else's test kit, such as your LFS'? This would be a good idea to make sure all your test kits are reading accurately.

 

[fishfisher]

I will have my lfs test my water tommorow. Is HLLE contagious? Is the tattered state of the fins a separate problem?
If I added a few more pouches of Chemipure to take out all dissolved compounds and upgraded the diet, do you think I could add any more fish? I hate the idea of waiting another year for this disease to heal before I can add anything new. Thanks everybody.

 

[winstew]

any chance there is some silicone contamination in there?

 

[fishfisher]

Hmm. I guess that it is possible, but how would you know? Niether my tank nor silicone is new. I don't think that it is likely since all tanks have silicone and I haven't heard of silicone contaminating water.

 

[winstew]

Oh i wasn't saying it leaked out I wasn't sure if you built a new sump or what not and used bad silicone

 

[lion_crazz]

HLLE is not contagious, but the tattered fins is usually common with fish that have HLLE.

 

[fishfisher]

Thanks everybody. I bought formula one pellets and spirolina formula frozen food. I also have algae strips. These foods have some vitamin C and garlic added. Is there anything else I need?

 

[92protruck]

I would improve water quality. Use RO/DI water instead of well water. If you checked the voltage the correct way (one probe in the water and the other to ground) and got little or no voltage then water quality and improved diet with vitamins should be the ticket.

 

[moby]

I just checked the salt for the first time in months, and saw that it is high.
WOW Josh, I think you are due for some tank maintenance!
I seldom jump on folks for poor treatment of their fish, BUT I think you really need to get more disciplined with the care of your aquarium.
The "grumpy old man" in me comes out when I see avoidable problems like this happen, and this is a direct cause of poor maintenance/ neglect. Sorry to blast you but I think I'm just saying what alot of people are thinking.
do you think I could add any more fish? I hate the idea of waiting another year for this disease to heal before I can add anything new.
Do your fish a big favor and educate yourself by asking more questions and doing more research before you add anything else to your aquarium.
I apologize for being so blunt but, be real. Living creatures that depend on you for their lives deserve the best treatment you can give them.
One good note however, at least you asked for help before things got worse. Everyone accidentally kill fish, it happens. Use this as a lesson learned and make more effort to be a good "landlord" to your Aquarium.
Moby