Hippo Tang Experiences

[CSalty]

What are your experiences with hippo tangs? I'm looking into getting one and just dropping him in my DT. I plan on feeding him with the Dr. G's medicated fish food. I have a 120g reef tank with 2 clownfish, Melanerus Wrasse, flame Angel, & a Tomini Tang. Let me know your thoughts.

 

[CSalty]

Hippo Tang Experiences

I have Fox face as well

 

[jason2459]

My thoughts are not good thoughts

 

[Hoopz87]

My thoughts are not good thoughts

Is there a reason for this comment, explain

 

[jason2459]

Is there a reason for this comment, explain

Yes there is a reason and I would just be labeled as part of the "Tang police" for part of it and the other part I think the fish disease sub-forum will be needed.

 

[CSalty]

Yes there is a reason and I would just be labeled as part of the "Tang police" for part of it and the other part I think the fish disease sub-forum will be needed.

It's okay I would like to hear your thoughts

 

[jason2459]

Well, I don't think any of that food will help. QT of some kind would be best. If any kind of food would help it would be algae in the tank, nori, algae based food, meaty foods as fresh as possible, and supplemented with quality pellets and frozen. Fed often. Fatten that sucker up.

Then I also wouldn't put that sized fish in anything less then 6'x2'x2' and even then I personally think that's pushing it and bigger would be better.

Unfortunately, I have a yellow belly blue tang in my 180. It was not my decision and against my wishes. I would much rather have a different fish in there. I was also pushed a sailfin but was able to talk my way out of that one. These were wife and kids choices for me.

I got the yellow belly blue smaller then a quarter. I think its been two years maybe a bit more and is now well over 6". I feed well and I feed often all kinds of food mentioned above. But I also did QT. At that time cupramine and prazipro. He's become in the past few months a bit more aggressive but not attacking full out yet. I'm waiting for him to hit 9+" and watch him start to attack. Then as he approaches a foot or more will not be enjoyable I'm afraid.

 

[lhm nole]

Dropping a regal into you reef tank
1. Is a terrible idea without qt they are very ich prone
2. Medicated food does nothing for ich dont care what they say
3.If you have zoas you might want to have second thoughts

 

[CSalty]

What is the success rate of your fish not catching ich again when u QT. Also I read that only 5% of reefers only QT their fish so I feel like I could fit into the other 95% with a success story. I've used Dr.Gs in the past the fish I currently have never had an outbreak. I'm just wanting a new fish and I feel that a hippo tang would be a good fit. If not a hippo tang do you have any other suggestions?

 

[jason2459]

What is the success rate of your fish not catching ich again when u QT. Also I read that only 5% of reefers only QT their fish so I feel like I could fit into the other 95% with a success story. I've used Dr.Gs in the past the fish I currently have never had an outbreak. I'm just wanting a new fish and I feel that a hippo tang would be a good fit. If not a hippo tang do you have any other suggestions?

100% out of QT


100% that food other then feeding them did not help


97% of all percents are made up

 

[jason2459]

I would say you have a nice stock list right now. I would look at smaller fish but that's my preference. Royal Gramma, goby and pistol shrimp combo, cardinals, other smaller wrasses, blennies, etc

 

[jbvdhp]

What is the success rate of your fish not catching ich again when u QT. Also I read that only 5% of reefers only QT their fish so I feel like I could fit into the other 95% with a success story. I've used Dr.Gs in the past the fish I currently have never had an outbreak. I'm just wanting a new fish and I feel that a hippo tang would be a good fit. If not a hippo tang do you have any other suggestions?

Just because "95%" of hobbyists don't qt doesn't mean 95% of them are successful. That's a bad assumption.

 

[snorvich]

To the original poster, you are getting some good advice, I hope you take it. Not quarantining is playing Russian Roulette; no one wins, some just get to play longer. Ich is the least problematic of the various "available" parasites.

 

[Azedenkae]

What are your experiences with hippo tangs? I'm looking into getting one and just dropping him in my DT. I plan on feeding him with the Dr. G's medicated fish food. I have a 120g reef tank with 2 clownfish, Melanerus Wrasse, flame Angel, & a Tomini Tang. Let me know your thoughts.

I actually have really good experience with them. Mine seems to be very hardy - doesn't get ich, always the brightest blue and black, super healthy, super active, eats like a pig.

Gets along with all tankmates, including Clowns and a citron goby. Previously a royal gramma as well.

I reckon it'd be perfect for you. 120g should be big enough too. Have fun!

P.S. QT is important. Though I never do it (coz I can't be bothered), it is good to.

 

[CHSUB]

I actually have really good experience with them. Mine seems to be very hardy - doesn't get ich, always the brightest blue and black, super healthy, super active, eats like a pig.

Gets along with all tankmates, including Clowns and a citron goby. Previously a royal gramma as well.

I reckon it'd be perfect for you. 120g should be big enough too. Have fun!

P.S. QT is important. Though I never do it (coz I can't be bothered), it is good to.

my experences are similar to here, however i would without question QT, TT method imo is best!!!

i had a hippo in a 92 corner from 98 to 2005, without issue. now i have a hippo in a 300, no difference in demeanour.

this is the 92g, in about 2003 with PT....

View attachment 310282

and now....

http://[URL=http://s1294.photobucket.com/user/CHSUB/media/image_zps874d2cfb.jpg.html][/URL]

 

[jason2459]

Well, in response to the last too. I believe my hippo to be fat and healthy as well and very brilliant blue and yellows with a gorgeous red highlights to his bold black outlines. I have pictures but they look like crap because of his bold colors and they glow when I try making him look ethereal.

A properly fed and housed fish in the right size tank in captivity should grow fairly close to if not hit maximum listed size. And in the right situation like in very large public aquaria could grow larger then that. I've seen it.

Any fish that's under fed and stressed enough in a tank that's undersized for their needs will stunt their growth. The last post above is an example. In just a couple years my tang has grown over 6" from under an inch. I have a good chance of mine hitting close to a foot. I believe my tank is to small as well and will also start stunting its growth.

Now does this mean the fish is "unhappy?" I have no idea. But increased aggression as they get larger and more cramped doesn't allow me to really enjoy watching the chasing and darting. So, at least I'm not happy.

Also, I personally don't like fish that could get up to half the width of my tank. To me its not visually pleasing and prefer smaller fish. Some people like the larger show fish look.

Either way good luck OP and hope at least you can enjoy your tank.

 

[lespaul339]

I have one in a 150 gallon 60X24X24 and he is about 6". He's been about that length since I got him 2 years ago. I got him from a friend who had him in a 60 gallon. Not sure if his growth is stunted or what but he is fat and healthy. But he is a bit of a bully to the other fish. I've found that if I keep nori in the tank clipped to a rock it seems to curb his aggression. He always picks on new additions to the tank so I have to put up a mirror for a day or so so he leaves the new fish alone. He has never had a speck of ich or shown any signs of ich since I got him. I always quarantine all new fish and even though he came from a friends tank I still quarantined him when I got him.

All that being said I probably would't add another one if something were to happen to him. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful fish and he is everyone's favorite fish when they see my tank, but I don't like how much of a bully he is. IMO there are better tangs you could choose especially since you only have a 120 gallon tank.

 

[biomek]

Just because "95%" of hobbyists don't qt doesn't mean 95% of them are successful. That's a bad assumption.

this! the definition of "success" in the OP's original statement has no quantifier to substantiate that claim. One person's level of success could simply mean the fish is alive (but possibly living with an unknown parasite that will infect all other fish in the DT). not QT'ing will eventually catch up with you.

 

[Mishri]

I've always loved my hippo tangs, they have always been peaceful, active, friendly fish (swim up to you when you walk by). They do get large, I've seen one outgrow a 125 gallon tank. It takes years, but it will likely eventually happen. In the mean time enjoy it.


Also, QT is always a good idea and medicated foods don't help from what I've read... I've never QT'd any of my hippo tangs, but, I also bought from stores that I trusted... I QT'd my petco fish

 

[Moray26]

I love hippo tangs and have one. very peaceful. i feed him mysis shrimp mixing with garlic juice. had ich once. Fed him what i just said and he fought off the ich and has been healthy ever since! Mine is in a 4ft tank as well for now... hes not very large. Eventually he needs to go to a 6ft tank or more! Just keep that in mind