Have a Hippo.... Bought a Tomini

[90GalFOWLR]

From everything that I have read tangs are for the most part compatible with other tangs as long as they dont look alike (same body structure)

I have a Hippo that has been in my tank for about a year now. Yesterday I added a Tomini. They do not fight, but my Hippo has kind of been a bully. It seems if he gets within about 10 inches of the new Tomini he will flair up his fins and pass right along side almost brushing along side him.

It doesnt seem to bother the Tomini too much he stops whatever hes doing at that second and calmly moves a few inches away. A few seconds later he is back to grazing on the rocks until it happens again.

There are no bite marks or chunks taken out of either of their fins. Is this just establishing dominance or do you think they will end up fighting. Neither one is obsessed with the other. These acts happen maybe once every minute or two... not constant.

 

[mark54321]

They will be fine .I have Hippo Tang and added Tomini Tang later .Same thing was happening with my Hippo,now month later they ignore each other.

 

[TampaReefer79]

From everything that I have read tangs are for the most part compatible with other tangs as long as they dont look alike (same body structure)

I have a Hippo that has been in my tank for about a year now. Yesterday I added a Tomini. They do not fight, but my Hippo has kind of been a bully. It seems if he gets within about 10 inches of the new Tomini he will flair up his fins and pass right along side almost brushing along side him.

It doesnt seem to bother the Tomini too much he stops whatever hes doing at that second and calmly moves a few inches away. A few seconds later he is back to grazing on the rocks until it happens again.

There are no bite marks or chunks taken out of either of their fins. Is this just establishing dominance or do you think they will end up fighting. Neither one is obsessed with the other. These acts happen maybe once every minute or two... not constant.

First question is, how big of a tank? Next is, how big is each fish? How many hiding places are there? Next is that what you described IS tang fighting. They don't bite fins to fight. The hippo is brushing alongside the tomini trying to open him up like a tuna can with it's scalpel. This happening every minute is pretty much a description of 'constant'...and is stressing out both fish. The hippo being an ich magnet, I hope you don't end up with ich.

 

[TampaReefer79]

And nevermind on the tank size question. I just realized your user id is 90GalFOWLR. LOL Only being in a 90 gallon tank, that could be most of the issue. Again, they may settle down, but I hope it doesn't cause a parasite outbreak...especially because it doesn't sound like you qt'd the fish.

 

[90GalFOWLR]

First question is, how big of a tank? .

90 gal. Before we mention it, I know the hippo will outgrow this tank.

Next is, how big is each fish? .

Each one is about 3" or 4"

How long has the hippo been allowed to get established?.

1 year

How many hiding places are there? .

Pretty many

Next is that what you described IS tang fighting. They don't bite fins to fight. The hippo is brushing alongside the tomini trying to open him up like a tuna can with it's scalpel. This happening every minute is pretty much a description of 'constant'...and is stressing out both fish. The hippo being an ich magnet, I hope you don't end up with ich.

Interesting to know. Thanks. Let me explain it a little more and see if you still think they are fighting.

When the hippo goes along side of the Tomini, he doesnt dart past him. He goes along side him quite slow and calmly. This morning they were doing it about every 1-2 minutes. (maybe exagerating, but I would rather make it sound worse for this case) Now that I am not standing by the tank and they are going about their own business the hippo is just calmly going around the tank like normal leaving the Tomini alone. Also the Tomini has no marks from the hippo doing this and both fishy have seemed rather calm throughout all of this.

I'm not meaning this to be nieve and argue with you, They just both seem to calm to be actually fighting. I dont see any injuries, hiding, fast breathing or anything. If the Tomini was stressed would be be grazing like his is? And knowing my hippo I dont think he is stressed.