hippo tang advice
- Thread starter seven2sam
- Start date
jedimaster1138
New member
Mine enjoys most everything I feed, but seems to go extra happy for:
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/new-life-spectrum-thera-a-fish-anti-parasitic-formula.html
I also feed formula 1 and 2 flakes and Prime Reef flakes.
He chows down on http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sea-veggies-seaweed.html as well...purple is his favorite, followed by green. Doesn't seem to dig the red. I put the sheets on a clip that suction cups to the glass.
Last but not least, he goes nutty for frozen mysis. I've used both Hikari and PE.
I also use Kent Garlic extract several times a week and Elos extra vitamin additive.
When I first got mine he was just a wee baby, maybe an inch. He was skinny and afraid of everything (including his reflection and a firefish). Now he's a good 3 inches and has a fat belly. Also outweighs the firefish 10 - 1. He's basically a food hoover. Easily my most aggressive eater. Don't be surprised though if yours doesn't want to eat for the first few days. Not the end of the world...just part of the process. Plus he's probably nipping on algae off your rock work too.
I find that my fish have done best when I feed several different foods mixed together every night. That way everyone is happy and gets the balanced diet they need.
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/new-life-spectrum-thera-a-fish-anti-parasitic-formula.html
I also feed formula 1 and 2 flakes and Prime Reef flakes.
He chows down on http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sea-veggies-seaweed.html as well...purple is his favorite, followed by green. Doesn't seem to dig the red. I put the sheets on a clip that suction cups to the glass.
Last but not least, he goes nutty for frozen mysis. I've used both Hikari and PE.
I also use Kent Garlic extract several times a week and Elos extra vitamin additive.
When I first got mine he was just a wee baby, maybe an inch. He was skinny and afraid of everything (including his reflection and a firefish). Now he's a good 3 inches and has a fat belly. Also outweighs the firefish 10 - 1. He's basically a food hoover. Easily my most aggressive eater. Don't be surprised though if yours doesn't want to eat for the first few days. Not the end of the world...just part of the process. Plus he's probably nipping on algae off your rock work too.
I find that my fish have done best when I feed several different foods mixed together every night. That way everyone is happy and gets the balanced diet they need.
vette68
Member
Best thing that ever happened to mine was that it committed suicide and jumped out of my tank after 6 years. That was by far the biggest a-hole fish I've ever owned. Good luck. You will not be able to add any other fish after that tang, once it grows to any substantive size. About a year ago, I bought a beautiful, healthy Red Sea Sailfin. Different body styles, should be compatible, right? The morpho attacked the sailfin with such ferocity, you could hear the thump outside the tank when it hit the sailfin. The morph took bloody chunks out of the side of the sailfin's body, shredded it's fins, and within 24 hours, the sailfin was dead. Now, there was no way to remove 300# of acropora encrusted live rock out of a 180 to try to catch and save the sailfin. I just hoped the morph would stop, but it never did, even in the dark. It was relentless.
Did I say good luck? A blue morph has to be the last fish you add to your tank. Other than that, they are very hardy, easy to care for and will take well to nori, flake or pellet food. They are pigs.
Did I say good luck? A blue morph has to be the last fish you add to your tank. Other than that, they are very hardy, easy to care for and will take well to nori, flake or pellet food. They are pigs.
JaYbIrD1969
New member
Its almost certain you will have an ich outbreak in your tank. Hippos are the worst. If he's itching, he's got it. You will probably watch other fish contract it as well. The most important thing is to keep your fish strong and eating thru the outbreak. I melted frozen mysis in garlic juice. The garlic has some benefit in fighting disease, but the fish seem to love the flavor so they eat better. It'll make your house reek like garlic.
Other than that, just weather the storm. If he comes out the other end in good health, their wonderful fish. The poster above that said his was a tyrant is the exception, not the rule.
Other than that, just weather the storm. If he comes out the other end in good health, their wonderful fish. The poster above that said his was a tyrant is the exception, not the rule.
Reeftanks6
Active member
I bought my hippo very small, and I made sure he was eating fresh out of the LFS. My hippo grazes on the glass and rocks from time to time. He also loves pellets and flakes. Just make sure you make sure he is eatting reguarly and you should be okay.
Ambition
New member
Actually, researching the care requirements should have been done way before purchasing. Doing so, one would know that a hippo tang should have at least a 6ft 180 gallon tank, with an 8ft 240 gallon tank being more suitable.
Quarantine is vital if one should decide they are going to purchase. The importance of QT cannot be stressed enough, as the benefits far out way any cons. Being able to observe the fish for signs of disease and treating if needed, making sure it eats, letting it relax before being in a display tank, etc. are just a few of the benefits.
When it comes to sensitive tangs, this isnt the only reason for QT. Another reason is to give the fish stability. Especially hippos and PBT, you should QT, treat, and observe for 2 months at least.
i would like to say first off i knew evough abot hippo tangs b 4 i purchased mine i was just looking for friendly advice. i know i shuld qt but i dont have the money to set one up and not every buddy uses one even know its the perfered thin to do.i took jays advice and got garlic juice and mysis shrimp,mixed it up and fed it to my fish and they all loved it including the hippo he devoured it!
Froggy
Reef "Hobbyist"...right!?
Sam,
It is true not everyone does what would be "best" due to many different reasons. I may just be lucky but I have never quarantined any of my fish including Tangs. I have had my Hippo for about 2 1/2 years now and it is my favorite fish. I wanted two tangs so I added him at the same time with a Kole tang in my 120 2 1/2 years ago. You are not doomed because you did not quarantine. I would continue too feed a high quality diet with garlic as this does seem to help.
My 120 is probably pushing it as far as tank size goes but I am happy I have it and my Hippo looks in prime health. My hippo loves feeding time and will eat out of my hand. I feed flake, pellet, frozen mysis, and other frozen mixed reef blends.
I am no way recommending that people do not need to quarantine though. It has also been known to end in disaster for some. I am just saying that you are not doomed because you did not. Many many people never quarantine and do just fine. Maybe it is luck, other tank mates, initial fish health, care after purchase, who knows....
Good luck with yours!
Joe
It is true not everyone does what would be "best" due to many different reasons. I may just be lucky but I have never quarantined any of my fish including Tangs. I have had my Hippo for about 2 1/2 years now and it is my favorite fish. I wanted two tangs so I added him at the same time with a Kole tang in my 120 2 1/2 years ago. You are not doomed because you did not quarantine. I would continue too feed a high quality diet with garlic as this does seem to help.
My 120 is probably pushing it as far as tank size goes but I am happy I have it and my Hippo looks in prime health. My hippo loves feeding time and will eat out of my hand. I feed flake, pellet, frozen mysis, and other frozen mixed reef blends.
I am no way recommending that people do not need to quarantine though. It has also been known to end in disaster for some. I am just saying that you are not doomed because you did not. Many many people never quarantine and do just fine. Maybe it is luck, other tank mates, initial fish health, care after purchase, who knows....
Good luck with yours!
Joe
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