Hippo Tang Experiences
- Thread starter CSalty
- Start date
CHSUB
"Certified Hobby Expert"
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.
I'm not sure that not reaching max size or speed of growth is a good indication of stress level. i see people every day that are short and tall, and i make no judgements on their living conditions based on their size.
I'm not sure that not reaching max size or speed of growth is a good indication of stress level. i see people every day that are short and tall, and i make no judgements on their living conditions based on their size.
+1 :3
If size was an indicator of stress/happiness/health or whatever, then I am pretty sure every male Clownfish is stressed out to the max and stuff. Though I've seen plenty of giant females and tiny males and neither seemed anymore stressed than the other, so hm.
Exceptions aside though, a fish living in the big wide ocean would probably grow even larger and all that, but that probably means for many of the fish we keep, well we shouldn't keep them regardless because our tank sizes, 99.9999% of them probably isn't even as large as a tiny corner of a small bay. So there we go.
I believe so long as they are active, healthy and grows to a appreciable size, that's great. My fish doesn't have to be the largest in the world. They don't easily succumb to diseases, are hardy enough to easily endure disturbances, are active, eats well and grows to adult size is all I need.
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lespaul339
Reefer
People break the rules and act like because of their experience they are the rule. They're not, they're the exception and no two fish/tanks are the same. What works for one may not work for another and you have to ask yourself if you want to go through the hassle of trying to rehome this fish if he becomes aggressive and outgrows your tank. At the end of the day you're going to do what you want, but I would listen to advice from people with experience and really think about your decision and how it affects the quality of life for this fish and others in your tank before you make it.
dustinkimpel
Member
+1 :3
If size was an indicator of stress/happiness/health or whatever, then I am pretty sure every male Clownfish is stressed out to the max and stuff. Though I've seen plenty of giant females and tiny males and neither seemed anymore stressed than the other, so hm.
Exceptions aside though, a fish living in the big wide ocean would probably grow even larger and all that, but that probably means for many of the fish we keep, well we shouldn't keep them regardless because our tank sizes, 99.9999% of them probably isn't even as large as a tiny corner of a small bay. So there we go.
I believe so long as they are active, healthy and grows to a appreciable size, that's great. My fish doesn't have to be the largest in the world. They don't easily succumb to diseases, are hardy enough to easily endure disturbances, are active, eats well and grows to adult size is all I need.
+1 on your +1
CHSUB
"Certified Hobby Expert"
People break the rules and act like because of their experience they are the rule. They're not,
what are the rules and who is breaking "them"? LA's minimum tank size for a hippo is 180gal vs Scott Michael's 100gal. Who's right, who's wrong? from experience i can tell you my 92 gallon made an excellent home and also my current 300 gallon does also.
what are the rules and who is breaking "them"? LA's minimum tank size for a hippo is 180gal vs Scott Michael's 100gal. Who's right, who's wrong? from experience i can tell you my 92 gallon made an excellent home and also my current 300 gallon does also.
CHSUB
"Certified Hobby Expert"
here's a pic i just took....great fish, sometimes picks on my flame angel, have had him about 2 years and has grown alot: over 6" now. similar disposition and behavior to one i had 15 years ago in a 92g corner. imo, there are many important factors to housing a hippo, tank size only being one...
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CSalty
New member
Wow a lot of great advice I came to the conclusion that I will start QT'in my fish but what should I use in the QT tank I tried HYPO in the past and killed quite a few fish. I would like to try using copper but I read that flame Angels are sensitive to copper. Also what copper remedy is better "copper safe or cupramine"? I used kordons rid ich when I first entered the hobby but that had virtually no effect on the ich in the tank.
bklynreef123
New member
I have had one for almost 2 years he started off very small about 1" . I didn't QT him. IMO unless you are going to set up a coral and separate fish QT it makes no sense anyway. Ich lives in substrates including frag plugs. Is it "Russian roulette" probably but so is keeping these fish in captivity anyway. I like the fish and he is doing very well. He is however kind of a bully.
CHSUB
"Certified Hobby Expert"
qt fish, imo, is one of the best things you can do to maintain your DT...years ago i used hypo or copper and found the results mixed, many fish deaths. since changing to Tank Tranfers Method i'm 100% successful getting fish through QT'ing. it's simple and easy, minimal stress on fish, and give you time to get the fish eating.
lespaul339
Reefer
And I have one in my 150. But IMO a 120 is too small of a tank for a Blue Hippo long term. Did you see my post earlier in this thread about how mine might be stunted from being kept in a small tank? I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm just saying at what cost to the fish's health and well being?
dustinkimpel
Member
Every fish is stunted from growth if they are in a aquarium... I don't understand the tang policeman of the world. People with huge tanks say you can only keep a tang in a 200 gallon because that's what they have and want to feel like they are the ones keeping the tang properly. Well some people can't afford 200 gallons and have 100 gallons. The bottom line is any aquarium fish is hampered from its natural growth and movement from being in a aquarium as it is. If people have a healthy looking fish and it is acting normal it is probably fine in their aquarium. That is just my opinion, I'm sure Ill get bashed for it.
slief
RC Sponsor
Pretty fish but I will never keep one in my reef tank again. They tend to break out in ich more than any other fish I have ever owned. If you look at them the wrong way, they will break out in it. There are only a couple tangs I will not keep. The Powder Blue, Powder Brown, and Hippo. Achilles also suffer from the same issues.
reeferstace
I'm a little people
It is best practice to acquire fish that one can provide an optimum environment for. If you cannot afford a proper sixed tank for a certain fish then you should not get that fish. There is a huge difference in a 4' tank and an 8' tank.
dustinkimpel
Member
With logic like this you shouldn't keep tangs unless you have an aquarium that's the size of a swimming pool...
dustinkimpel
Member
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to keep a regal in a 55 or anything but a 120 gallon tank should be considered big enough to house one, if you get it when it is still young.
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