Regal Tang Skin Discoloration........ Help!!!

[ard]

Stupid or not yesterday I saved a beautiful Regal Tang from the LFS, he's been living in a tank full of hosepipe and other stuff could hardly swim, so to cut a long story short I bought him!!!! He had no lighting whether or not he has been fed or not I do not know. He has white patches over his face. I have bought some pellets with Garlic in and he's eating really well on the pellets and flakes, please can someone help identify this and will he get better. I have attached a photo for you to take a look... Please Help!!
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/ard123_66/P1010030.jpg

[Tristan]

I was told vitamins will sort out that pigment.

[Lavajava]

Possibly he is just stresed from where he was living and lack of swimming space, allow him to adjust to his new surroundings.

I bought two yellow tangs last week and by the time I got them home (20mins) they were white in colour but soon perked up. He is feeding, so the outlook is not all dark, monitor him and I think all will be well.

[gregg]

quite tough fish so as long as hes eating and theres no obvious signs of desease he should be ok.

[ard]

Thanks Guys, maybe not that stupid after all, just needs some tlc.

[Wombat]

Look a bit like Head and lateral line erosion (HLLE or HLLES) syndrome a poorly understood syndrome. It has had many causes suggested, poor nutrition, myxosporidia, low water quality, "tank need to be earthed due to residual voltage issues", viruses, bacterial infections.

None of these have stood up to scrutiny though and it remains a bit of mystery

Rarely fatal & often resolves on its own and oddly enough living rock and a rich reef environment seem to help speed recovery.

[ard]

Thanks Wombat... interesting, the poor little fella just looked terrible in the tank at the lfs, he seems to have a bit more colour since he's been under the lighting. Just wondered whether all is colour would come back or will he be scarred for life...

[Wombat]

hard to say, possible scars on the face but good body colour (but may clear up completely depending on how deep the lesions are)

[ard]

thanks again. Here's hoping...

[andy1]

i had a regal just like yours i fed him loads of seaweed and he got better in no time at all.