Captive Born Hippo Tang needs a helping hand!

[UncleSalt]

I have a captive bred Hippo Tang, he went through QT like a champ. Eat's wonderfully. Very personable. Last night, I introduced him into the main tank. He's 1.5" and went into an 4x2' tank. He's going in there until the 250 gets finished (already have the tank).

The current inhabitants of the tank are:

-Yellow Tang
-Flame Hawkfish
-Melanrus Wrasse
-2 clownfish


Yesterday evening, he was introduced and got along with everyone. He went from fish to fish almost like introducing himself. Everyone - except one - was excited to see him. To my surprise, it was the Flame Hawkfish who is about the same size.

Once the lights went down however, the hippo perched himself on a rock and was content until.....the AMBUSH by the hawkfish. The hawkfish repeatedly went after him. He ended up with several bruises. I was able to catch the hippo and move him to the sump.

My question becomes, is should I try to reintroduce with a acclimination box? Or should I leave the hippo in the sump for a month so he can get a little bigger and hold his own against the Flame?

 

[Dmorty217]

I would try and get the hawkfish out and put in the sump for a day or two and reintroduce

 

[gusmanda]

I would remove the hawk and place him elsewhere for a while the hippo grows a bit.

 

[UncleSalt]

I would try and get the hawkfish out and put in the sump for a day or two and reintroduce

I would remove the hawk and place him elsewhere for a while the hippo grows a bit.

Well - this will be fun. He's got so many caves - he's a butt. :uhoh3:

 

[CHSUB]

where did you get it or are you one of the people at UF?

 

[UncleSalt]

where did you get it or are you one of the people at UF?

I got it at my LFS. He's not one of the ones you were reading about. These were eggs that were harvested from the ocean, and grown/hatched in captivity. I believe Blue Zoo has one at the moment as well. http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/productDetail.asp?cid=361&pid=6583&did=1

Say hello!

 

[Sk8r]

Hawkfish are inclined to ambush. One thing I've found managing damsel intro to other, far larger damsels---get every large net you've got and put them business-end down in the area where the new guy is, creating a refuge for him, if he'll stay put (here, the inclination of damsels to seek a nook helps) and the more and bigger the better. The aggressor doesn't want to go in there amid that weirdness (the same thing that makes him hard to catch) and after a little time, he begins to forget this is a new guy.

 

[steallife904]

longnose hawk is super aggressive in my tank. He will fight any new fish I add. I usually have to turn lights off for the day.