Mean Hippo Tang

schooleyosis · May 1, 2013

So I worked from home yesterday which gave me a great chance to watch the tank almost all day. I always said my Hippo Tang was a jerk but yesterday proved to me even more that I have a mean one on my hands!

1) It chases the six-line in and out of the rocks nipping at it, when it can catch it. This is funny to watch because the six-line is much faster and more agile through the rock. But still, the tang is trying to keep up with it to nip at it. I've seen the six-line's tail missing pieces before, this proves to me the tang has caught it.

2) Chases the neon goby from one side of the tank to the other until the goby hides in the corner.

3) Follows the foxface around all day waiting for it to poop, so it can eat (not a big deal). Problem is, is that the foxface gets sick of having someone behind or by its side all day so from time to time will tail whip the Tang. Well, the tang didn't like that so started nipping at the side of the foxface. Maybe a nip here and there scared the crap out of it, who knows? LOL

Questions... Would catching the tang and putting in the sump for a few weeks then putting it back in the DT help any? I'm tempted to catch it and just sell it but would like to see if there is a way or two to halt the aggression???

The fish are fed multiple times a day, so food availability isn't a concern. I think I just have a mean fish.

Comments and suggestions please!

ToXIc · May 1, 2013

Wow never heard/seen a hippo tang exhibit such aggression.

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schooleyosis · May 1, 2013

Me neither!!! And all of you curse my six-line for being mean when it's not. LOL

bct15 · May 1, 2013

Typically when being aggressive, tangs will whip the fish with the spike on their tail. (that is hey they are called surgeon fish, they perform surgery on enemies). I have a yellow belly blue tang that has been acting strange, not aggressive but carrying rocks around my tank and stuff. Maybe it has to do with the alignment of the stars. Have you checked our tank for voltage, and what size tank is it? I've heard of voltages making tangs go crazy.

PS sixline is the devil.

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schooleyosis · May 1, 2013

I've never seen it tail whip anything, just nipping! Weird!!!

I've checked for stray voltage not too long ago and it was not an issue. I've said from day one my tang is a jerk! As it's becoming bigger it's only becoming more of a jerk! This is in a 4x2x2 120 gallon with 5 fish so territory shouldn't be an issue. The foxface is bigger than the tang by about an inch as well...

pickupman66 · May 1, 2013

Ryan, try putting a small mirror on one end of the tank. that will draw his attention away.

schooleyosis · May 1, 2013

Forgot about that idea, thanks!

lanaandjim · May 1, 2013

My hippo tang was bullied by a damsel when he was little. Now he is 6 to 7" long and fights his reflection in the glass. He has injured his eye and scratched his side. So I guess his reflection is winning the fight.

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shellynjason · May 1, 2013

Isn't it ironic how most people will tell you that watching fish is relaxing - HA ... not so much. My fish stress me out too. My purple tang won't leave a new foxface I put in the tank alone and the foxface is way bigger but won't fight back. Maybe Tangs should go in a tank last - not sure.

Is one of those fish new to the tank?

schooleyosis · May 2, 2013

lanaandjim said:
So I guess his reflection is winning the fight.
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That's funny! Poor fish...

shellynjason said:
Isn't it ironic how most people will tell you that watching fish is relaxing - HA ... not so much. My fish stress me out too. My purple tang won't leave a new foxface I put in the tank alone and the foxface is way bigger but won't fight back. Maybe Tangs should go in a tank last - not sure.

Is one of those fish new to the tank?

The neither are new. Both have been in the tank for over a year. The Hippo is just a grumpy fish I guess. LOL

solar · May 3, 2013

Try rearranging the rockwork that usually throws them into a stupid confusion and should settle him down.

schooleyosis · May 3, 2013

That's not gunna happen! LOL I just got all the corals where I want them. I have a feeling I'll try and catch the hippo tang and either put it in the sump or put it in the QT when my dartfish are ready to be added to the DT.

I saw the stupid thing nipping and tugging on the urchin last night! I also saw it nipping at the green slimmer coral that I got. I have a feeling this one is going back to the LFS. Down the road I'll add a yellow eye kole tang and possibly a Tomini at the same time!

slayeroftheshadow · May 4, 2013

I'll add I've never had or heard of a blue hippo being aggressive, especially as you describe.

You mentioned it had an abusive childhood, maybe that's why. But, again, blue's are known for being very easy to forget (kinda how they got the idea for Dory).

It could have something seriously wrong like HILLI or other parasites messing with it, or maybe, just maybe...it went to Catholic school and was the "special one" that got to stay late."

J/K

On a serious note, if it doesn't change & you do wanna get rid if it, I'd take my chances with it. I'm good with tangs. That would've been a been handle: the tang whisperer

schooleyosis · May 4, 2013

Haha. Growing up in a Catholic school I fully understand what you mean (maybe I shouldn't admit that). KIDDING!!!!

It is showing a few signs of white spots and minimal scraping on the rocks so maybe that is what is going on. It did survive the last breakout about 3 months ago so it is a tough fish.

If I do decide to capture it you'll be the first to know!

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slayeroftheshadow · May 4, 2013

I meant no offence. Just messin around.

Seriously, it does sound like something I saw once before with worms burrowing in the brain/organs :/

I know that sounds bad, but it's possible.

I'd QT it in either case.

Keep me updated. Thanks.

schooleyosis · May 4, 2013

I know you were kidding, no offense!

I just added some fish to my QT on Tuesday so it will be about a month before I decide. That is good news to know though. Maybe it's just a streak it's going through??? Like stated over and over, I've called it a jerk from day one. Lol

Mrsaltwatertank was telling me that he has a client with a Hippo tang that is killing fish. So maybe the tendencies are there... Maybe I'm a bad parent. Lol

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