My blue hippo just doesn't get it. He's about two inches and the exact same size as my two clowns, so in his mind they are meant to be best buds. Except the clowns don't see it that way and they are tearing the hippos fins up. Even as they are nipping at him he just follows them around. Instead of swimming around all over the tank he just hangs out all day in the territory the clowns have staked out.
Hippo driving me crazy
- Thread starter paphater
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Brew12
Electrical Gru
Small tangs are very social animals. They don't get less tolerant of others until they age.
What other fish do you have in there for him to hang out with?
paphater
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A larger Kole tang, red tail trigger, 3 lyre tail anthias, the two clowns, Quoyi parrot, coral beauty, copper band, fox face, and pink margin wrasse. The two clowns are the closest to the hippos size so I'm guessing thats the issue? Really I'm just worried that it puts him at risk to catch something.
Brew12
Electrical Gru
That is a nice variety, I'm a little surprised he isn't hanging with the anthias.
Maybe @4FordFamily can offer some help?
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
Geez, I have nothing to offer here! Little guy should get the hint!
He will either eventually figure it out or die trying, unfortunately. Is serious damage being done? If so, you should consider removal.
Brew is right, smaller tangs are more social and tolerant of others.
Mr. Limpid
Active Member
sounds like the clowns are a mated pair, two company threes a crowd. If you get a breeder cage and put one of the clowns in it the one left in the tank should stop attacking the hippo.
paphater
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Right now the fin damage heals up nicely, until he gets hit again. He is still very active and eating well so I'm not seeing any issues beyond the damage itself. Last night he went and slept by himself so maybe he is starting to catch on. Maybe I should think about getting another female trio of lyre tails to see if he can make new friends.
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
That’s good. I doubt she would take much to Anthias or other species honestly. I think she just has to figure out how to be a loner!
My juvenile hippo will swim with my Midas Blenny till the lights go off, hes learned to stay away from some of the other Tangs after getting chased a little bit. I would just monitor the level of aggression and hope that he learns
