Hippo tang killing new anthias?

[maukings]

My hippo tang was one of the first fish to inhabit the tank. I added 6 chromis, 2 died and the other 4 swim with the tang all the time. Tang doesn't bother anyone.

I added 3 Bartlett anthias last saturday and only one out of the three was out swimming, the male and the female hid in the rocks. All 3 were out during feeding time.

Today I came home, put some food and only one anthias came out. I looked through the cracks and all i can see is the female anthias' tail bitten and red streaks through the fins. I could see it breathing heavily so I left it alone. I then found the male anthias hiding in the rocks, most of his scales lifted and tail missing pieces. I couldn't tell what happened until the male anthias came out of hidding and the tang charged him, nipping his tail and hitting with its tail.

Is this common behavior from a hippo tang? He is fine with one of the anthias but bullies the other 2?

I think the female athias is now dead. I can't reach it without taking a bunch of rocks out. Should I let the crabs eat the corpse?

Should I bother getting any more anthias?

 

[snorvich]

What sized Hepatus Tang? What sized tank? How often do you feed?

 

[kinlayan]

Hippo tangs can be nasty fish, i had 9 in a 5000 litre aquarium and had to find new homes for 5 of them over the course of 2 years as they grow they become more aggressive.

 

[maukings]

tang is around 3 inches. 90 gallon tank. Feed some pellets before going to work and feed frozen and seaweed when i get home from work. <the hippo is my favorite fish in the tank. I have 4 chromis, 2 clowns, sailfin tang and pink spotted goby. Hippo never messed with anyone before.

 

[Angel*Fish]

Obviously you have to get them out, but if you're not doing it immediately I would partition off that tang in part of the tank (with eggcrate or something) and feed some antibiotics to the anthias.

 

[Sk8r]

This species (hippo) needs an 8 foot tank. He's feeling crowded. Sooner the better for a new home for him.

 

[snorvich]

I would tend to agree with Sk8r but in the short run, the hepatus is probably getting insufficient food. Leave Nori in the tank at all times.

 

[oct2274]

Your best bet is to move the Hippo to another tank or the sump for a week or two. Let the anthias get used to their surroundings and start feeding. Move a few rocks around if you can while the hippo is out.

I've did this with a few fish. Take the aggressive fish out while the new fish are getting used to things and reintroduce the aggressive fish. In every instance the aggressive fish were just fine with the new fish after being put in a jail cell for a while

Good luck!

Btw, this doesn't sound like a feeding issue to me at all......

 

[MrTuskfish]

Are you even sure the tang is the villain? Anthias are difficult fish to acclimate; the markings on the anthias could easily be from your crabs.

 

[el aguila]

Your best bet is to move the Hippo to another tank or the sump for a week or two. Let the anthias get used to their surroundings and start feeding. Move a few rocks around if you can while the hippo is out.

I am thinking about moving my hippo to the frag tank for awhile. My hippo was a little over 1" when I got him and is now 3".

He is definitely asserting his authority as I'm starting to stock my tank holding my new blue spot jawfish to his hole and bossing other fish.

 

[brian15876]

mine is def ruler of the tank