Hippo tang ?

[atvdave]

Just picked up a copy of Marine Fish and Reef Mag today and on the cover was a hippo tang.

My question about the Hippo tang, do you see the color under his eye's and nose? Is that what most all hippos look like?

I'm asking because at my LFS they had med, and large hippo tangs but they all had the faded look like in the picture on the cover of the mag. The baby tangs all had good color. I just thought that maybe something was wrong with the larger fish, but now I'm thinking that thats just the way they look when they get older.

Any thought's on this?

Thanks
Dave

 

[ghostrida3]

hippo tangs are extremely succeptible to lateral line erosion and alot of them fade like that as they mature. However i have seen alot of large specimens that were still vibrant.

 

[ghostrida3]

ive never had any success w/ turning the lights off or rearanging rocks like others have suggested. My fish dont notice. but let me know ime very interested, wanted to attempt another royal gramma?

 

[jda]

Some think that certian vitamins will keep the fading/holes from happening. Cod Liver Oil (vitamin A?) is a frequently used substance.

 

[spoiledcats]

Here is a picture of my hippo tang. He is about 5 or 6 years old, and I think his color is just fine. A varied diet and vitamins will keep one healthy and good looking.

 

[spoiledcats]

I should add that although I don't feel his color has faded, when they are young they have that electric blue color, and when they get older it kind of deepens to a nice deep royal blue. Well, that's what mine did anyway.

 

[whiteshark]

Mom, this is obviously a better picture of it...

 

[Biggie]

Keep in mind these fish can change color to blend into there surroundings. Notice the their color in the first hours of the lights coming on and then look again after several hours with the lights on. They darken and lighten depending on the intensity of the lights. Also their diet is highly important. These tangs are popular for carrying Ich , and lateral line. Mostly due to the stress and poor handling. Mine will turn sideways lay down almost on its side and shutter itself under a rock ledge and turn almost pale white to match the sand. If I put a fresh clip out he will bolt out and within 5 minutes be vibrant again in color. Most Tangs Ive owned exhibited this color flux.

 

[whiteshark]

Good point. The hippo and the yellow tang lighten up dramatically when the lights go off. For the first several months I was worried that this was a sign of disease or something, but they are both healthy and have been for years.

 

[thor32766]

alot of times the hippos lose their color is because they arent feed enough algea in the aquarium. In the home aquarium alot of people tend to feed tangs alot of meats, thats fine but you have to ensure they are getting enough algea.

 

[whiteshark]

^ Another good point. I place about half a sheet of nori in the tank a day for the tangs to graze on. Meaty foods should definitely be a snack to a main diet of algae...