Tangs with white spot pattern

I have a sailfin and yellow bellied blue tang (4-5 inches each). They have a row of white dots (almost a pattern) going down their length. The pet store doesn't think it's ick since it appears to be a pattern. Is this normal for tangs? Also, their faces appear to be missing patches of color. Any thoughts?

 

lateral line?

pics would help

 

Might be lateral line disease. Can you get pictures?

 

MOved to fish board.

 

If these fish are new they may still be acclimating. Please post a picture if possible.

 

Thanks--Attached are the Pix

The Blue Tang have had these spots for 6 months, though there seems to be a bit more lately (the severity seems to come and go, but they are always there). There is a simliar pattern on the Sailfin Tang.

Also, notice the blotchy face, which they have had for a long time (again, the severity seems to come and go).

Any thoughts would be helpful....Thanx

 

Oh yes a bad case of Lateral line disease with possible secondary bacterial infection.

 

Definitely HLLE. Head and Lateral Line Erosion. Start soaking their food in a Vitamin C formula ASAP. It helps.

 

Agreed with the posts above. That is a very bad case of Lateral line. It's caused by poor nutrition. Here is some info:

Head and Lateral Line Erosion Disease (HLLD or HLLE) - Hole-in-the-Head Disease
Symptoms: Begins as small pits on the head and face, usually just above the eye. If untreated, these turn into large cavities and then the disease progresses along the lateral line.

Head and Lateral Line Disease is also known as Hole-in-the-Head Disease, Lateral Line Erosion (LLE), and Lateral Line Disease (LLD). It is attributed to a nutritional deficiency of one or more of: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. Though its cause is not definitively determined, it is thought to be caused by a poor diet or lack of variety, lack of partial water changes, or over filtration with chemical media such as activated carbon.

HLLE has been reversed by one or more of the following treatments:

Increase frequent water changes.
Add vitamins to frozen foods.
Add the addition of flake foods, as they are enriched with vitamins.
Add greens, either frozen or in leaf form, to the diet.
Decrease the amount of beef heart as it lacks many critical nutrients.
Remove activated carbon filtration.

 

All, thanks so much. As soon as someone through the lateral line disease as a possiblity, I googled it and you were right. I filter with chemipure (carbon). The fish do get green algae and mysis shrimp every day that have been soaked in garlic, but that is not enough. The websites had some great ideas...The good news is that they don't appear to be in any immediate danger--I'll get on it ASAP.

You guys are awesome!!