Need diagnosis on a sick tang in a sick situation.

[akwaaviagra]

The reef tank at work has a yellow tang in it. The tang is the oldest of it's inhabitants and the tank has gone through several caretakers and thus the ecosystem in the tank is virtually dead (for anyone with a tank, keep records of what you do to it just incase something happens and someone else has to help you! It is the most miserable thing in the world to see a tank in this condition.)

Recently, the tang has developed red streaks running along the lateral line and small red sores grouped on its face. The red streaks appear in the rays of the fins as well.

Much to my dismay, the current caretaker is constantly adding new fish and corals to the aquarium without rebuilding the system within the tank. It breaks my heart to see so many fish and corals be put to certain doom. The only seemingly healthy survivor now is an urchin that keeps eating the corals.

From a distance I think of all the things that could be done to save the tank and I am curious as to what's wrong with the tang.

 

[ronj]

not sure, but i would start with the ammonia readings, as well as the other water parameters.....it could also have a case of lateral line erosion as well

 

[akwaaviagra]

That's what I was afraid of.

 

[ronj]

is there anything that you can do for the fish, or is it the caretaker's responsibility only??? how big is the tank, and how often does the caretaker do water changes???

 

[Brenden]

Sounds like a water quality problem. Send Ron the "whale Whisper" the tang.

 

[ronj]

you're a sicko!!!!