Hippo Tang and Scopas Tang problem

trrunner · 07-26-2010, 06:15 PM

Both fish are showing discoloration on their bodies. Numerous light patches cover most of the Scopas and the Hippo has discoloration on the head and a few lighter patches on the body. Other fish are not affected.

Both are around 2 years old and both are very active and eating.

Problem is we are leaving Wednesday for a week. Sorry for the short request for help but any help diagnosing would be appreciated. Similar symptoms suggested for Velvet disease.

Thanks in advance

wil0311 · 07-27-2010, 09:23 PM

Did this just happen overnight or has it been getting worse? If overnight, did you just do a water change or add anything?

trrunner · 07-27-2010, 10:05 PM

They were fine in the morning but whatever it is showed up between 10:00 AM and around 6:00 PM. 5 days after the regular water change. Did another 20% W/C and symptons have been relieved.

Came and is going very quickly!!

Would like an idea what this is. Hard to diagnose when it is changing rapidly though.

Thanks for your interest!!

TJSlayer · 07-31-2010, 10:55 AM

Probably just stress related....My fish will do that from time to time as well, it's a sif they loose pigment or something, but it eturns bck to normal very quickly.....

trrunner · 08-03-2010, 02:30 PM

We just arrived back a couple of hours ago from a week away and all is good. Both tangs are back to their original coloration and very active.

Thanks for the input!

Also thanks to the fine fellow for offering his services in taking care of the tanks.

The every other day feeding appears to have been sufficient.

Thanks again

Jfish · 08-03-2010, 02:49 PM

Had a similar thing just happen to me yesterday. My hippo tang had two similar sized discolored white patches on each side. They showed up after rearranging some rocks/frags and blowing dust off all the rocks. It created a little storm in the tank and the fish didn't appreciate it. I figured that it was probably just stress from all the unusual activity in the tank. I also read it could be from diet related issues like not getting enough veggies.

I stayed away from the tank for the next couple hours. Then I dropped in some mysis and some seaweed. The hippo didn't gobble it up like he usually does but after he got his share he went back to normal and you could almost watch the white patches fade away.