Blue Hippo Tang Issues

[tnias]

I have had (3) blue hippo tangs in the past 12 months and each of them has died after about a month or two in the tank. The rest of the fish are fine with no issues. Always see them eating so I don't think its the food.

I always quarantine them for at least 6 weeks. During that time I slowly raise the salinity from the store level to 35ppm to match my display tank. I also prophylactic treat for ick and parasites. In each case none of them ever experience any issues during QT nor in the display tank.

A possible factor is that I always get very young tangs which are maybe 1-1 1/2" long with the idea that they can grow into the tank so maybe its possible that younger ones are not as hardy.

I really want to have one hippo in my tank which is why I got a 6 foot long 150 gallon tank. Any thoughts are appreciated because I don't want to waste the money getting another if its just not going to work.

PS - the downside to having a clean up crew is the body is gone with no evidence by morning.

 

[Bogue Chitto]

Sounds like you have a bad crab in there that my be catching them when they are sorta parked in their sleeping place. You need to check late at night after the lights go off and see if you see anything that is not supposed to be in there. Other than that you might try a larger fish the next time.

 

[tnias]

I have an emerald crab, but I haven't seen him in awhile so I don't know if he is still around and hermits. I might try one more time and get a bigger one this time.

Thanks

 

[ThRoewer]

A crab would also go after other fish - they are not picky.

How do you treat against "ich and parasites"?

What other fish are in the tank? How about crabs, shrimp and snails?

 

[tnias]

I use Cupramine and Prazipro during QT. it's a fully cycled QT tank too.

I have a cleaner shrimp, hermits, and the regular snails. I got the standard Bluezoo Aquatics cleanup crew.

Fish
3-chromis
2-yellow tangs
2-clowns
1-Cardinal
1-filefish

 

[ryguy886]

+1 on the emerald crab.... They will go after fish if given the chance. Especially when the hippo tang is tucked into the rock work sleeping. The smaller ones are a little more finicky when it comes to water quality but it seems like they are eating when you put them into your DT, so they should be fine. I have found that it is better to only treat for ick if you see it during your QT period, and 6 weeks should give enough time to have it show up if it is there. Cupramine can stress a fish on top of the already stressful QT and acclimation process.

I would try to remove the emerald crab and replace with additional hermits if needed.

 

[ca1ore]

-1 on the emerald crab. Even if your crab is a problem, it's going to go after all your fish, not just the hippo. Small hippos are notorious for their high mortality rate. What kinds of symptoms did you observe prior to them dying? How long did it take after you moved them into the DT? What other fish do you keep? Hard to offer much useful advice in the absence of information - other than idle speculation.

 

[BrianD]

^that

 

[ThRoewer]

I use Cupramine and Prazipro during QT. it's a fully cycled QT tank too.

I have a cleaner shrimp, hermits, and the regular snails. I got the standard Bluezoo Aquatics cleanup crew.

Fish
3-chromis
2-yellow tangs
2-clowns
1-Cardinal
1-filefish

Copper is a poison and really not good for fish, especially juveniles. I would ditch the copper and switch to TTM.

Of the fish, I would only be concerned about the yellow tangs. How big is the tank?

 

[snorvich]

Copper is a poison and really not good for fish, especially juveniles. I would ditch the copper and switch to TTM.

Of the fish, I would only be concerned about the yellow tangs. How big is the tank?

The tank size in the user profile is 75 gallons. and I agree with the first statement.

 

[DopeCantWin]

The tank size in the user profile is 75 gallons. and I agree with the first statement.

He said it's a 6ft 150 up above.

 

[tnias]

Sorry my signature is old. I have upgraded to a 150 gallon tank from my 75. I even went with a 6 foot long tank rather than a 4 foot 150 gallon tank specifically for a hippo tang.

I didn't notice any abnormal behavior prior to it disappearing. What is TTM. I switched to Cupramine because it seemed many people on here recommend it.

 

[Martini5788]

Sorry my signature is old. I have upgraded to a 150 gallon tank from my 75. I even went with a 6 foot long tank rather than a 4 foot 150 gallon tank specifically for a hippo tang.

I didn't notice any abnormal behavior prior to it disappearing. What is TTM. I switched to Cupramine because it seemed many people on here recommend it.

Tank transfer method. No medications needed. For ttm, I use 2 10 gallon tanks. I make all the water needed beforehand. Easy and simple and always effective. Do some research on here

 

[Jasanden]

2 yellow tangs are probably not helping your situation. I have one that I am holding for a friend while he moves and it's a real PIA. I imagine at the very least it's stressing out your new juvenile hippos.

 

[jraker]

I think the two yellow tangs are enough for a 150. The recommended size for a blue tang is actually 240 gallons because they get to be a foot long