Help with baby hippo tang

Frogspon · Feb 18, 2021

Got this 1" guy in pretty rough shape, but trying my best to nurse him back.

Currently in 20 long QT tank running 2.0 Copper Power, no tank mates.

He's eating Mysis and Brine soaked in Selcon and Kanaplex/focus, but I'm concerned about his coloration and he's pretty weird behaviorally ... Only swims by this powerhead all day unless I turn off the powerhead then he's laying flat on it, or in a corner. Occasionally he will swim the tank for a second before going back to the powerhead.

Is the pale/splotchiness a concern? I know the abrasion is there, but seems to be getting better.

Amm: 0
N02: 0
N03: 0
Salinity 1.026
Temp 79

Thanks

Frogspon · Feb 18, 2021

Do you think GC would be a good idea @Jay Hemdal ? any advice would be appreciated

Topekoms · Feb 18, 2021

Looks bacterial I would treat for that also

Uncle99 · Feb 18, 2021

If he is swimming into the current created by power flow that’s very indicative of velvet.

Velvet feeds in the gills firstly and is considered a fast killer in comparison to ick.

He’s in copper....keep it up and do everything to feed....watch for ammonia build up....

Id let him have the flow if he wants, unless it’s tossing him...velvet suffocates the fish so he may be trying to breath...and currrent would help.

Frogspon · Feb 19, 2021

Here are two pictures from today: Some of the white is from water stains on the glass.

Currently in 2.0 copper power and first dose General Cure. Still eating Kanaplex.

Seems to be doing better color wise, but I really wish I could get an answer on what the problem is so I can treat it. All this fish does is sit on the suction cup all day.

Frogspon · Feb 19, 2021

Here are some better pictures without as much in the way.

Still Eating.

Looks like the abrasion is healing on its own.. but the splotchy color, hiding all the time and clamped fins are making me worry.

Any thoughts? Thanks

Jay Hemdal · Feb 19, 2021

Tiny hepatus are tough to work with. Try high density, fatty foods like diced mysids and less brine shrimp. Even flake food is good if it will take it.
Tiny hepatus live in branching coral, so they tend to lay in crevices when they can, very different from the adults. However, that habitat also means they can’t be netted and so are often caught with cyanide.
I think your treatment course is sound....
Jay

jtf74 · Feb 19, 2021

Frogspon said:
Got this 1" guy in pretty rough shape, but trying my best to nurse him back.

Currently in 20 long QT tank running 2.0 Copper Power, no tank mates.

He's eating Mysis and Brine soaked in Selcon and Kanaplex/focus, but I'm concerned about his coloration and he's pretty weird behaviorally ... Only swims by this powerhead all day unless I turn off the powerhead then he's laying flat on it, or in a corner. Occasionally he will swim the tank for a second before going back to the powerhead.

Is the pale/splotchiness a concern? I know the abrasion is there, but seems to be getting better.

Amm: 0
N02: 0
N03: 0
Salinity 1.026
Temp 79

Thanks

I took a chance on a Petco hippo tang almost a year ago, maybe just a bit bigger than yours. For the entire 3 months in my 55 QT it hid under the return lip of the hang on skimmer coming out only to eat. Seemed discolored a bit at times and just kept feeding. Now in the display is doing well, good color, but still likes to duck away into its claimed crevice periodically for a few minutes. So had similar experience and hopefully yours will improve too.

Frogspon · Feb 20, 2021

jtf74 said:
I took a chance on a Petco hippo tang almost a year ago, maybe just a bit bigger than yours. For the entire 3 months in my 55 QT it hid under the return lip of the hang on skimmer coming out only to eat. Seemed discolored a bit at times and just kept feeding. Now in the display is doing well, good color, but still likes to duck away into its claimed crevice periodically for a few minutes. So had similar experience and hopefully yours will improve too.

Thanks, this gives me hope! He's quite a drama queen but never skips a meal so that's good.

Frogspon · Feb 21, 2021

Just noticed this today, any idea what is going on with the end of his tail? My first guess is bacterial.. but I'm not sure what to do because he's knee deep in Copper Power and General Cure right now..