Yellow Tang is turning Red...

[Rico]

My 4 yr old yellow tang is starting to get red coloration along the top of the back where the dorsal fin attaches. Additionally there is blotching along the sides near the back. He eats like a pig and is acting normal with lots of energy and spunk. I feed lots of nori, along with "Nutrafin Marine Complete Pellets" The only thing new to the diet is that I have been soaking the food in Selcon once a week. Addinionally all the fish in the tank (240 gal) have been through a bout of Ich, but fended it off successfully. The red is evident in the pictures below.

Does anyone have an idea what is going on and if I should be concerned.

Thanks
Rick

 

[bradreef]

thats new to me

 

[snobanker]

There was another thread about that some time ago...couldn't find it though . My yellow tang did that too, but changed back to yellow and has been since. I didn't do anything special for him, just kept up on the WC's and feeding him algae strips.

 

[Elmo18]

Hi. Yellow tangs that turn slightly orangish or reddish are a sign of poor water quality and an impending infection, although I am not sure if it is bacterial (there's a good chance that it is).

Do a water change and I would start feeding your yellow tang some greens, or some mysis shrimp soaked in an additive (i.e. Selcon).

Go to this link, and scroll down to "Yellow tang turning red. Why?"

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ytangdisfaqs.htm

- Elmo

 

[Terry B]

This can be a low grade (starts that way) vibrio bacteria infection which is sometimes referred to as "Red Pest". It is an indicator of some sort of stress in the system. A low PH is often the culprit. The good news is that many times all that is required is a large water change using well aged and aerated saltwater. You should also improve the variety in the diet and use vitamins and Selcon. That is usually enough to resolve the problem. If the fish gets worse despite the water change then you may need to move it to quarantine and treat with a good antibiotic. Maracyn-Two, Furanase, or Nitrofurazone (Furacyn) would be good choices.

Terry B