Hippo tang acting funny

nvolkern · Jul 21, 2017

I've had a hippo tang in my 40gal for about 2 weeks and he's been great up until a couple of days ago. I recently added a sailfin tang, but the 2 don't seem to ever bother each other. My hippo tang is usually pretty active but yesterday he hid in the rock almost all day (looking motionless) I got concerned that he was dead so I moved the rock and got him out. He has no wounds or signs of illness, and he still eats.

This morning I couldn't find him and worried then I saw him possibly sleeping? In the seaweed clip. Can anyone tell me why he's acting so odd? Could he just be afraid of his new foreign tank mate?

Dilan Patel · Jul 21, 2017

not to be a tang police but a 40gallon tank is too small for two tangs especially the ones you currently have. Theya re some of the bigger tangs that need lots of swimming space. It is very possible that they are crowded even thought they are small right now. They could be fighting for territory and tangs do not like to be cramped. They like lots of swimming space and I hate to tell you this. A 40gallon tank is not quite the size a tang needs especially two. As I stated before I believe you might not see the tangs fighting but they might be because of the lack of space. Sorry if I am coming in harsh/rude but I just don't want you to stree the fish/yourself out and have the fish get sick especially the hippo who is prone to ick. Then that would set back your whole tank.hopefully this is of some use and any other questions I or the community would love to answer it.

Hogan · Jul 21, 2017

If it's acting funny, maybe it thinks it's a clownfish. You should instruct it to be more serious.

GoVols · Jul 21, 2017

Just because the two seem to be getting along during lights on.
It does not mean that bulling has been going on after lights out.

To me the Hippo looks stressed out and sick.
It could have already been carrying an illness and just now showing the symptoms.

The best way is to quarantine a new fish in a separate tank and treat as needed.

nvolkern · Jul 21, 2017

Dilan Patel said:
not to be a tang police but a 40gallon tank is too small for two tangs especially the ones you currently have. Theya re some of the bigger tangs that need lots of swimming space. It is very possible that they are crowded even thought they are small right now. They could be fighting for territory and tangs do not like to be cramped. They like lots of swimming space and I hate to tell you this. A 40gallon tank is not quite the size a tang needs especially two. As I stated before I believe you might not see the tangs fighting but they might be because of the lack of space. Sorry if I am coming in harsh/rude but I just don't want you to stree the fish/yourself out and have the fish get sick especially the hippo who is prone to ick. Then that would set back your whole tank.hopefully this is of some use and any other questions I or the community would love to answer it.

Thank you so much! I'm all open to harsh answers. I thought that maybe he was stressed out because of space, this just confirms. I'll have to bring him back to my LFS I guess. I'd never want to kill a fish just because I enjoy him in my tank.

videosilva · Jul 21, 2017

Is it just me or does the Blue Tang look REALLY REALLY thin ? Blue tangs have a strange personality will hide out in the rocks sleep there and pretty much come out only to eat. Mine use to peek out of the rock at me or who ever walked by he would poke his head out and watch what was going on. PIG when it came to eating there was never enough food. There were times i thought it was dead lying sideways between the rocks to sleep. Like I said they have their own personality.

Dilan Patel · Jul 21, 2017

nvolkern said:
Thank you so much! I'm all open to harsh answers. I thought that maybe he was stressed out because of space, this just confirms. I'll have to bring him back to my LFS I guess. I'd never want to kill a fish just because I enjoy him in my tank.

Glad it helped! I know the feeling of taking fish back. I actually have to get rid of the one fish I could never keep but it was my favorite fish ever, back to the fish store tommorrow

. Not because it is unhealthy but because it is eating my coral.

nvolkern · Jul 21, 2017

videosilva said:
Is it just me or does the Blue Tang look REALLY REALLY thin ? Blue tangs have a strange personality will hide out in the rocks sleep there and pretty much come out only to eat. Mine use to peek out of the rock at me or who ever walked by he would poke his head out and watch what was going on. PIG when it came to eating there was never enough food. There were times i thought it was dead lying sideways between the rocks to sleep. Like I said they have their own personality.

That sounds exactly how he's acting. He came out today and ate like crazy! His appetite has been great since I've got him

nvolkern · Jul 21, 2017

Dilan Patel said:
Glad it helped! I know the feeling of taking fish back. I actually have to get rid of the one fish I could never keep but it was my favorite fish ever, back to the fish store tommorrow . Not because it is unhealthy but because it is eating my coral.

Yeah it's a huge bummer, but anything to have a healthy tank and healthy fish