I bought a hippo tang yesterday the size of my thumb nail and he seems to be doing well. The problem is I have not seen him eat yet. He is currently in a 10 gallon quarantine tank with all the sides bocked with cardboard so he doesn't get more stressed than he already is. I have a small piece of seaweed on a clip, I added a couple of frozen brine shrimp, a algae wafer and Formula two marine pellets. He just swims around a little and hides behind a heater. Any advice on what to feed this little guy
Juvenile Hippo Tang not eating
- Thread starter rburns007@sbcglobal.net
- Start date
Wow, thanks for all the responses. I guess I'll begin posting in other forums that are a bit more helpful. Thanks again.
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Care:
Reef Suitability: Excellent reef inhabitant, but somewhat delicate. Safe with any invertebrates. Specimens are commonly available at a very small size, but be wary of purchasing small babies as they are harder to acclimate due to their low stress tolerance.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Disposition: Hippo tangs are generally peaceful community fish, though they may bicker with other Tangs in the tank. They are frequently found in groups as juveniles, but it is best to keep a single fish when they get larger or they may quarrel. They like to wedge themselves into a hole in the rock when they sleep at night. Hippo Tangs tend to be a very nervous fish and frighten easily.
Feeding: These Tangs tend to have a more meaty diet than many tangs. Normal meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, Formula One and blood worms are taken, but may appreciate occasional feedings of Nori or other algae foodstuffs.
Hardiness: Considered to be a fairly delicate fish and not good for beginners as it is susceptible to Ich and lateral line disease and requires a large tank. Good nutrition is a key to maintaining this specimen, as well as concerted efforts to eliminate stress.
Temperature: Does well within normal reef tank temperature ranges of 75-84°F.
Size: Hippo tangs can reach about 12" in length when fully grown, though they generally don't reach that full size in captivity. While frequently sold as cute little 1" babies that look suitable for a nano reef, keep in mind that these fish grow quite large and are very active swimmers and need not only ample space, but also plenty of shelter.
Be careful on how much food you are adding to the QT tank - especially being that it is only a 10gal, or you will foul the waters very quickly that way. Also are you running a filter on this tank as well as a power head for oxygenating?
Furthermore, this species as a whole can become quite sensitive to stress, but juveniles especially are prone to stress which can cause their health to dramatically decline - sometimes resulting in death due to their small size and immature immune system.
These fish love to hide, they need space where they can retreat to if stressed, or threatened. It sounds to me like you have no live rock or other sheltering structure within the QT tank - thus you are leaving this baby totally exposed, increasing his stress level.. This is probably why he is frequenting the heater - not for the heat source, but because its the only thing he has to try and hide behind. Put some live rock in there right away, an aquarium decor from a pet store, or even a dark coffee mug turned on its side until you can provide a sufficient home. Once he has a place to rest and fully acclimate, he will calm down and be able to eat, but for now, he is basically freaking out, and with good reason.
When it comes to getting a response - Though we would all like them immediately, sometimes there may be people who aren't sure how to answer your question, and would rather wait for another to come along and provide correct and complete information. Sometimes it means you wait a day or so, but if you ever have a question you need an emergency answer to immediately, please post your question and then feel free to send me a private message with the link to your post so that I may address it right away. Thank you, I hope the above information is of some help to you.
-Em
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Reef Suitability: Excellent reef inhabitant, but somewhat delicate. Safe with any invertebrates. Specimens are commonly available at a very small size, but be wary of purchasing small babies as they are harder to acclimate due to their low stress tolerance.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Disposition: Hippo tangs are generally peaceful community fish, though they may bicker with other Tangs in the tank. They are frequently found in groups as juveniles, but it is best to keep a single fish when they get larger or they may quarrel. They like to wedge themselves into a hole in the rock when they sleep at night. Hippo Tangs tend to be a very nervous fish and frighten easily.
Feeding: These Tangs tend to have a more meaty diet than many tangs. Normal meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, Formula One and blood worms are taken, but may appreciate occasional feedings of Nori or other algae foodstuffs.
Hardiness: Considered to be a fairly delicate fish and not good for beginners as it is susceptible to Ich and lateral line disease and requires a large tank. Good nutrition is a key to maintaining this specimen, as well as concerted efforts to eliminate stress.
Temperature: Does well within normal reef tank temperature ranges of 75-84°F.
Size: Hippo tangs can reach about 12" in length when fully grown, though they generally don't reach that full size in captivity. While frequently sold as cute little 1" babies that look suitable for a nano reef, keep in mind that these fish grow quite large and are very active swimmers and need not only ample space, but also plenty of shelter.
Be careful on how much food you are adding to the QT tank - especially being that it is only a 10gal, or you will foul the waters very quickly that way. Also are you running a filter on this tank as well as a power head for oxygenating?
Furthermore, this species as a whole can become quite sensitive to stress, but juveniles especially are prone to stress which can cause their health to dramatically decline - sometimes resulting in death due to their small size and immature immune system.
These fish love to hide, they need space where they can retreat to if stressed, or threatened. It sounds to me like you have no live rock or other sheltering structure within the QT tank - thus you are leaving this baby totally exposed, increasing his stress level.. This is probably why he is frequenting the heater - not for the heat source, but because its the only thing he has to try and hide behind. Put some live rock in there right away, an aquarium decor from a pet store, or even a dark coffee mug turned on its side until you can provide a sufficient home. Once he has a place to rest and fully acclimate, he will calm down and be able to eat, but for now, he is basically freaking out, and with good reason.
When it comes to getting a response - Though we would all like them immediately, sometimes there may be people who aren't sure how to answer your question, and would rather wait for another to come along and provide correct and complete information. Sometimes it means you wait a day or so, but if you ever have a question you need an emergency answer to immediately, please post your question and then feel free to send me a private message with the link to your post so that I may address it right away. Thank you, I hope the above information is of some help to you.
-Em
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