Blue hippo tang

[reefertank]

So have heard mixed things about size tank requirements for a blue hippo tang? I have a 90 gallon tank, and like most people my 6 year old loves Dory. Also any other livestock suggestions, right now I have a paired set of clowns and a fire belly goby.

 

[reefertank]

So have heard mixed things about size tank requirements for a blue hippo tang? I have a 90 gallon tank, and like most people my 6 year old loves Dory. Also any other livestock suggestions, right now I have a paired set of clowns and a fire belly goby.

Oh and tank cycled about 6 months ago, and has been very stable every since

 

[Anirban]

The problem with Hippo is they are big fish. So, they need a lot of swim space. The more they grow up more space they will need. If you have a long tank like a 4-5 footer at least then you can get a small like 1" one and keep it for a year and half till it becomes a 3-4 inch. But once they get big you need to either change your tank or you need to give him away. They are active swimmer and you will figure that out from very first day. A lot of people will not agree with me but its just my opinion. If they get big and you still keep it in a small tank you are going to stress that poor fish. Dont do that please.

 

[reefertank]

The problem with Hippo is they are big fish. So, they need a lot of swim space. The more they grow up more space they will need. If you have a long tank like a 4-5 footer at least then you can get a small like 1" one and keep it for a year and half till it becomes a 3-4 inch. But once they get big you need to either change your tank or you need to give him away. They are active swimmer and you will figure that out from very first day. A lot of people will not agree with me but its just my opinion. If they get big and you still keep it in a small tank you are going to stress that poor fish. Dont do that please.

Agreed that is what I thought. It is a 4 foot tank, but will eventually be looking for something larger.

 

[Anirban]

Agreed that is what I thought. It is a 4 foot tank, but will eventually be looking for something larger.

That eventually will be very soon if you get one...lol

 

[cracker]

Iv'e ha lot's of hippos. A tiny one would be fine few 2 /3 years. Your 6 year old will love it & great reason for a bigger tank. Hippos are fun fish ,never had one get rowdy.

 

[Anirban]

I have one and that fellow is funny. He is one of those captive bred ones. I got him when he was barely 1/2" and he started hanging out with my clown. He was behaving and swimming like clown too. He and my clown eat from my hand since the very first day but the problem is after 1 1/2 year he still thinks that he is 1/2" and sometime bite my finger thinking its food too.

 

[reefertank]

I have one and that fellow is funny. He is one of those captive bred ones. I got him when he was barely 1/2" and he started hanging out with my clown. He was behaving and swimming like clown too. He and my clown eat from my hand since the very first day but the problem is after 1 1/2 year he still thinks that he is 1/2" and sometime bite my finger thinking its food too.

So excited my kid is going to love it. How do you know if they are captive bread? And any other livestock suggestions for 90 gallon

 

[Anirban]

So excited my kid is going to love it. How do you know if they are captive bread? And any other livestock suggestions for 90 gallon

Generally for captivebreds its mentioned and they are priced high. For a 90G you can have anthias, may be a wrasse or flame angel but no more tang please.

 

[mckinney0171]

i have a hippo in my 100 gallon and he is starting to look uncomfortable in there. smacks against rocks all the time. Time to upgrade to a Red Sea XXL. Seriously though they are great fish but VERY active and need swimming room horizontally.

 

[Anirban]

i have a hippo in my 100 gallon and he is starting to look uncomfortable in there. smacks against rocks all the time. Time to upgrade to a Red Sea XXL. Seriously though they are great fish but VERY active and need swimming room horizontally.

Now you get a reason to go big...

 

[mckinney0171]

yes indeed! My wife is not happy!
I should have added that they are speed demons and very clumsy.

 

[Anirban]

yes indeed! My wife is not happy!
I should have added that they are speed demons and very clumsy.

Lol yeah. They are little stupid and definitely don't have clear idea about how big they are.

 

[reefertank]

Lol yeah. They are little stupid and definitely don't have clear idea about how big they are.

Just keep swinging, just keep swimming

Thaannkk yooouuu! (best Dory whale text I could think of)

 

[mckinney0171]

mine will crash the surface of the water to get at pellet food. it's hilarious.

 

[siggy]

mine will crash the surface of the water to get at pellet food. it's hilarious.

Now I get it!

 

[Jesterrace]

So have heard mixed things about size tank requirements for a blue hippo tang? I have a 90 gallon tank, and like most people my 6 year old loves Dory. Also any other livestock suggestions, right now I have a paired set of clowns and a fire belly goby.

A 90 gallon is too small for a Blue Tang for very long. Live Aquaria lists the minimum to keep a Blue Tang happy long term is a 180 gallon (6 feet long, 2 feet tall, 2 feet front to back) and I would say that is accurate. Ideally a Blue Hippo should probably have an 8 foot long tank to keep it happy and stress free long term. I am personally not a fan of buying a fish to keep for a while and then rehome once it gets too big. Catching a fish is never quite as easy as it sounds and every time you trap and rehome a fish it puts a fair amount of stress on the fish (and on the owner, I might add) and given the fact that Tangs are very prone to ich, I would say that is not the best plan. My 4 year old desperately wants a Dory as well, but I have made it very clear to him that our tank isn't big enough for one and we won't be getting one.

 

[siggy]

I may be in trouble....Yes I know most will need to be re homed, I already have an agreement to trade-in the Biggins for tots when needed

 

[cracker]

the creators of the movie Dori came very close to the real fish personality wise. They are goofy .That's why I like them !