04/07/2025
If you have lines on your face starting to form due to the difficulties of maintaining your saltwater aquarium, do not hesitate to contact Sierra Saltwater Systems for a free consultation towards a maintenance plan. Sierra Saltwater maintains aquarium’s of all sizes in homes, restaurants, casinos and offices.
Head and Lateral Line Erosion; HLLE is a disease that afflicts many of the ornamental marine fish in our hobby. Fish suffering from HLLE will develop pitted holes that usually start around the eye area and continue, forming a line towards the tail.
Surgeonfish and angelfish are the most common families of saltwater fish to suffer from HLLE, but other families of marine fish have been known to develop the disease as well. HLLE is rarely fatal, but if left untreated it will cause horrific and permanent scars on the animal.
Causes of HLLE can be from activated carbon, parasites, carbon dust, heavy metals such as copper, electrical currents, endotoxins, ozone and U.V. radiation exposure products, as well as nutrient deficiencies including vitamins A and C.
In this particular case with a Sierra Saltwater Systems clients specie, we have determined the cause was due to a lack of an algae based food source. We have since educated the client on the necessity of an array of food choices and the aquarium is now receiving a daily feeding of sushi nori.
