Blue Hippo Tang 101?

[jokway]

Hey guys. I've got a tank that is well-established past 3 months. I've just put in a pair of Sebae Clowns and a Blue Hippo Tang. I was told, and I've been told, that the Tang is VERY VERY DELICATE. I'm feeding the fish these Veggie flakes, which the guru at the Pet Barn said is good for them. About once every week or two weeks, I like to feed them live food.

Tell me, are there things I should watch out for when it comes to my fish, particularly the Blue Hippo Tang? If he starts to turn white, what does that mean? I ask that particular question because the guru was telling me something about that, but because of his accent, I couldn't really understand.

 

[MikeyZO]

First of all, and not to knock you at all, I wouldn't call a 3 month old tank well established. Hell, I've had my tank for almost 2 years and I'd barely call that well established. That being said, we need some more information about your setup, specifically, how big of a tank are we talking here? Hippo tangs can grow quite large and without the proper size tank, you may have problems keeping the hippo healthy as it grows. Tangs also, as they grow larger, create more waste then most fish. So depending on the size of your tank and your overall bioload, you are probably going to need a good skimmer. How long have you had the fish so far?

As far as them being delicate, yes, they do tend to be, and they also tend to be prone to ich and HLLE (head and lateral line disease). They need a well rounded diet of marine seaweed on a clip, or at the very least a good flake that contains spirulina (or both), as well as meaty foods like mysis.

 

[jokway]

Well, actually, the tank and filtration system, the rocks and the coral and sand - it's all 5+ years old. I bought the whole thing from a friend, and have set up my own now. So under my ownership, 3+ months.

It's a 55 gal tank.

 

[Awibrandy]

Was that Blue Hippo sold to you by the guru at Pet Barn's? If so, I think you need to check your guru's credentials.LOL
No one in their right mind would recommend a Blue Hippo for a 55 gallon tank. They grow big, and fast. Lots of algeas, seaweeds, and sperulina should be the main part of their daily diet not weekly much less biweekly. You can feed them meaty foods, and that can be done weekly or biweekly.
Be prepared to either upgrade to a larger tank, or to find your hepatus a new home as he will quickly outgrow your 55 gallon tank.
Blue hippo turning white I have no idea what this guru is talking about, unless he was trying to tell you about ICH.

 

[jrobbins]

Turning white = HLLE?

 

[marrone]

Hippo Tangs will change colors from time to time. Some get very dark while other will lose color and look white/gray. Usually both are a sign of stress, whether from being move around, new tank, or showing aggression against another tank mate. Usually this condition is only temporarily and the Hippo changes back to its normal colors.

Now if you're talking about turn white or losing the blue color and scales around the head and nose, well that's usually the start of Hlle.

 

[xvinny631x]

Hippos suck! i have no luck with them and gave up.... I wish i could keep one but after 3 trys i dont think they r for me

 

[TNT125]

Sounds like the start of HLLE make sure he is well fed ... also 55 gal Hmmmm lets put it this way they dont call him Hippo for nothing he will be overloading you tank with waist before you know it .....

 

[gbothepro]

My hippo loves New Life Spectrum.. Its has garlic, for parasites and it's great for pigmentation, brings out the colors..

 

[cthoughts1]

I would get a UV sterilizer, clip some romainian lettuce to the glass for food so he can pick on it, and definitely be aware of when your hippo has out grown your tank...

 

[greenstreet.1]

garlic extreme solved all my hippo problems had him since juv he is now 3"

 

[aaron]

I had a lot of success reversing HLLE in a yellow tang by soaking quality flake food like reef formula with Kent AquaC - a vitamin C supplement, and Zoe which I think is a spirulina type additive.
I also got some live red algae to feed him. He made a full recovery after a few months and now lives in Cathy's Tank.

 

[reefs4life]

I don't think you really need to feed them any specific foods to make them recover. I got a purple tang with a moderate case of HLLE for $25 and after a week of regular feedings or so it was already losing the lines and about 3 weeks after I got him everything was gone. At the time I used to feed Nutrafin Marine Flakes, Tetra Marine Granules and SFB Frozen BS cubes...but this is just my experience

 

[bizarrecorals]

+1 garlic, +1 vitamen c for HLLE

 

[TNT125]

Yes I have a 75 gal my Hippo is now 6" he has HLLE but eats like a pigs. I feed him everything. Remember HLLE is interesting there are m,any differnt takes on it, but nutrition must always be considered with all fish. Water quality and a probe also help. Anything to keep the fish strong. I was going to get rid of my Hippo but no one wants him cause he is not pretty "I cant blame them ... but he has a nice personality

 

[J+K1016]

A Great Personality

A Great Personality is always the kiss of death!!