Hippo Tang

[Reet15]

Ok - have a hippo (Harpo) in our tank for about a month now - he's doing great and getting along with the other fish in the tank, but about 5 days ago he put up his dorsal fin and it seems to be "stuck". It is even up while he sleeps. Any thoughts on why he would do this?

 

[Deuce67]

I dont have the answer to your question but thank goodness you didnt call it Dory.

 

[Reet15]

LOL doesn't stop the kids from calling him Dory tho. Nobody has any ideas why this might be happening? I'd post a pic but it'd be too small to see (learned that from the last pics I tried to post).

 

[AboutAcans]

GREAT ANSWERS!!!! ROFLMAO. I know this one. I think everyone knows that tangs have "spikes" above their anal area that come out. This is just common. Something that is not more common is when the thing gets stuck. The same thing happens with their dorsal fin. It is a defense thingy with a single bone that sends it upwards. This from time to time can also get stuck. It happes. If it does not go down it might stress the fish out.

 

[AboutAcans]

GREAT ANSWERS!!!! ROFLMAO. I know this one. I think everyone knows that tangs have "spikes" above their anal area that come out. This is just common. Something that is not more common is when the thing gets stuck. The same thing happens with their dorsal fin. It is a defense thingy with a single bone that sends it upwards. This from time to time can also get stuck. It happens. If it does not go down it might stress the fish out.

 

[Reet15]

Well so far he doesn't SEEM stressed, although when I ask he gets kinda quiet LOL He's eating and swimming and playing with all the other fishies as normal so I guess we'll have to wait it out and see. Thanks Hoshi

 

[Mustang394]

I have seen mine act in a simular way from time to time never really thought much of it unitl you posted the question. I would say as long as he is eating and acting otherwise normal I would not be overly concerned.

 

[murfman]

At least he doesn't have his mouth stuck open. I have a Chromis that has been that way, almost a year.

 

[Reet15]

He's no longer stuck - he came "down" today LOL Guess the Viagra wore off?

 

[reefkoi]

Murf, I had a huge lionfish that had his mouth stuck open it was sad it was a fish i had for a long time. It starved to death since it couldnt eat.
Glad to hear the tang "went soft" so to speak.