My blue hippo looks bad

deuce · Jun 23, 2013

I have a 75 gallon tank with a blue hippo that's about 2 to 3 inches long. She is losing color down the front and bottom edges it looks grayish. She eats really well and gets seaweed three times a week all my water parameters are in check my salinity stays at 1.024 and I do by weekly water changes. I don't know if it's from her scratching against the rocks but I wanna make sure she doesn't have a disease. Any help would be appreciated and I also know she will out grow my tank. thanks for your help

bct15 · Jun 23, 2013

If its scratching the rocks then it has a parasite, your issue is probably because the tank is to small though.

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

navila06 · Jun 23, 2013

75 is fine for a 2 or 3 inch long blue tang. I would feed it seeweed everyday, also add some marine c just in case it's the start of HLLE.

SeahorseKeeper · Jun 23, 2013

Do you run carbon and if so which brand? It does sound like it may be the start of HLLE (head and lateral line erosion). The reason I asked about the carbon is there has been reports of carbon causing it.

deuce · Jun 24, 2013

I only run chem pure elite

Reefing Madness · Jun 24, 2013

Losing color around the face are sounds like HLLE to me.
Head and Lateral Line Erosion, Marine Aquariums and Coral Reef Aquarium Tank, Stand, Canopy, and Aquarium Filter System

mcarroll · Jun 24, 2013

If the whiteish patch is lower down on the "breast" of the fish, then I've seen it before and I don't think it's HLLE....it might not even be bad in and of itself. The fish I have experience with would present this change occasionally, never apparently any worse for the wear before during or after the change. I think it was just a sign of stress vs. an illness per se.

Keep up the good feedings - that tank is too small for a fish that will grow to his size so every day is just a little more stressful for him as he grows, so he can use an excellent diet to deal with that.

If it doesn't seem stressed, I wouldn't do much else...maybe bump your water change up to weekly for a few weeks....other than that, just be as observant as you can.

-Matt

P.S. How many other fish are in there (size and kind, too)?

deuce · Jun 25, 2013

I've got 5 other fish 2 clowns 1 gramma a blenny and a coral beauty

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

deuce · Jun 25, 2013

And yes I am somewhat new to saltwater it's just been a year the first of June and the tank I bought off Craig's list came with the hippo. I know he will need to be rehomed he needs a 180 or bigger to be happy this is something that I am currently working on to find him a happy home but where I live saltwater isn't that big of a thing. The closet store is an hour away. I have done a lot of research on saltwater before I jumped in

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

swannyson7 · Jun 25, 2013

How long has the fish been n your tank and have you added any other fish recently? Also, do the eyes appear cloudy or is it excreting white poop? If so, I'd lean toward a parasite like flukes.

mcarroll · Jun 25, 2013

Sounds like you are on the right track.

Unless he demonstrates signs that it's more than stress (white poops, other skin issues, behavior changes, etc) I wouldn't do anything but just stay on track with that bigger tank for him and his mates. 180 would be great!

I'm betting he'll be fine today, and fine tomorrow, but "sooner than later" would be the timeframe I'd give myself to upgrade the tank. Just remember he's already showing a sign and every day he grows a little bigger and get's just a little more stressed.

-Matt

deuce · Jun 25, 2013

His eyes are clear and his poop is normal like the others so it may be like you said stress. Nothing new has been added since six months or so ago. Stress may be the answer then thanks to all for your input

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

Reefing Madness · Jun 25, 2013

Hippos are the biggest babies when it comes to easily stressing them out. I'ave had one for years and this ding dong still stresses out when I do something he's not used in the tank.

Telefonica007 · Jun 25, 2013

My hippo has gotten ich twice and fights it.. Tough one I guess

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

navila06 · Jun 25, 2013

mine is the same way.

Telefonica007 said:
My hippo has gotten ich twice and fights it.. Tough one I guess

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

Reefing Madness · Jun 25, 2013

Telefonica007 said:
My hippo has gotten ich twice and fights it.. Tough one I guess

Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

All fish have the ability to fight it off, if they are healthy to begin with. Mine has had it probably 5-6 times. I don't even bother doing anything about it, just keep em well fed. I carbon dose so I can feed them really well and don't worry about water quality.