Black hippo tang

[albano]

Had one of my blue hippos for about a year… about a week ago the blue ‘spot’ within its black stripes turned white… now the spot is blue again, but the rest of the fish is solid black!
Seems fine, but hard to get a pic of.
Anyone heard of this before?

 

[Debramb]

Yup, my “Teenager” changes color all the time! About 6”
Debra

 

[littlefoxx]

My 1 inch one has a black face thats getting darker!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Had one of my blue hippos for about a year… about a week ago the blue ‘spot’ within its black stripes turned white… now the spot is blue again, but the rest of the fish is solid black!
Seems fine, but hard to get a pic of.
Anyone heard of this before?

While this may be a norm, Pics under white light intensity will clarify what you are describing

 

[albano]

Yup, my “Teenager” changes color all the time! About 6”
Debra

Yeah, it’s at least 6-7”, but I’ve had hippos for 40+ years, and don’t recall the color changes.

 

[albano]

…but I’ve had hippos for 40+ years, and don’t recall the color changes.

Admittedly, I’m getting old and my memory sux!

 

[Debramb]

Admittedly, I’m getting old and my memory sux!

I’ve got the weirdo Regal Tang, swims upside down, hides under rock sideways, hangs against the overflow, he’s so goofy, for years that you’d think somethings wrong. He colors deep blue now because he’s grown abit and now challenging Saifin for tank boss. Also have little Lemonpeel who hangs wiith the tang gang, a quarter of their size. Blue is pale in am.
Debrs

 

[albano]

While this may be a norm, Pics under white light intensity will clarify what you are describing

 

[vetteguy53081]

Pic very fuzzy. Does fish have HLLE? (erosion around face)

 

[albano]

No hlle , looks weird, but healthy…
You’re seeing dirty front glass… this is not my 500g display tank

 

[Nate Chalk]

What the heck. It is black

 

[Nate Chalk]

#Cronies any ideas on why this blue hippo is black that's crazy to me.

 

[MoshJosh]

Nah thats a Midnight Super Noir Blackout Hippo Tang. . . SUPER RARE! I wouldn't sell for less than 20k. . . no doubt.

Sorry, not helpful. . . but couldn't help myself. . .

 

[albano]

Gonna only ask $18000, for my Black Friday sale!

 

[fishguy242]

I have seen this just a few times in my 35 yrs of reefing ,sometimes it stays , very cool...

 

[Nate Chalk]

I have seen this just a few times in my 35 yrs of reefing ,sometimes it stays , very cool...

Black Hippo Tang Scored by Professional Fish Keepers | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Regal blue tang, blue hippo tang, Paracnathurus hepatus, or Dory, whatever you call them we can all agree this fish is supposed to be blue. As it turns out not all blue or hippo tangs get that memo…

reefbuilders.com

 

[albano]

Thanks Nate, good find