Blue Hippo Tang Swimming Erratically

[Semper.Reefing]

Hey everyone. I’ve recently noticed my blue hippo kind of starting around the tank. I’m curious is this is aggression- I did just add an orange shoulder tang last week. I also read a thread about fish seeing their reflection. I only notice her darting around in the evening oddly enough. Eats like a pig too.

Thanks!

 

[Jekyl]

What's your quarantine procedure? Have some white light pics? Flashing could be a sign of flukes.
#fishmedic

 

[Semper.Reefing]

What's your quarantine procedure? Have some white light pics? Flashing could be a sign of flukes.

I don’t quarantine… I don’t run whites very high at all. I was thinking flukes too. I do have a 20g tank I bought for a hospital tank just in case. Just ignorant to the process of qt and all

 

[Jekyl]

If you're going to QT you need to adopt the whole process. Here is the relevant information to do so. Once done and while continuing the practice you'll never have to be concerned again.

Current Quarantine Protocol

2023 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed quarantine process can effectively eliminate these parasites before...

www.reef2reef.com

45 Day Fallow periods

I've been doing some research into the "76 day fallow period". I never heard of that prior to coming to Reef2Reef this past summer. I had always used 32 days as the maximum time for a tomont to remain viable under tropical conditions, and then I would round up to 45 days to help ensure that...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Awesome thanks!

 

[Jekyl]

As the articles mention this should be done for all fish, not just the ones showing symptoms. Tank should be fallow for the specified time to ensure no risk of reinfection.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

As the articles mention this should be done for all fish, not just the ones showing symptoms. Tank should be fallow for the specified time to ensure no risk of reinfection.

Dang I’m going to need a bigger tank

 

[Semper.Reefing]

As the articles mention this should be done for all fish, not just the ones showing symptoms. Tank should be fallow for the specified time to ensure no risk of reinfection.

One more question. If I were to pull all of my fish out, how big of a tank should I use to QT?

Lg Foxface
Lg Sailfin
Md Blue hippo
Mf orange shoulder
Sm bristle tooth
x2 sm skunk clowns
x2 pajama cardinals

Petco has a 50% off sale right now and I was looking at 40 or 60 breeder. I understand it would require quite a few water changes with such a bio load and minimal filtration. I was thinking about getting some plastic bio balls to seed.

 

[Reefering1]

Looks like aggression to me.. but I'm no expert

 

[Aquavaj]

Looks like aggression to me.. but I'm no expert

I think so too. Looks like it's doing it when another tang swims by. Mine can get a little aggressive too trying to defense it's sleeping hole when the lights start to dim.

 

[Jekyl]

@Jay Hemdal @MnFish1

 

[Semper.Reefing]

I think so too. Looks like it's doing it when another tang swims by. Mine can get a little aggressive too trying to defense its sleeping hole when the lights start to dim.

I was also thinking aggression but I noticed it breathing somewhat fast and heavy. I forgot to mention I also saw it itching its side which starts to make me think they are flukes as well.

 

[MnFish1]

I don’t quarantine… I don’t run whites very high at all. I was thinking flukes too. I do have a 20g tank I bought for a hospital tank just in case. Just ignorant to the process of qt and all

I think the point he was making is pictures under white light - can you adjust your lighting with the pictures?

 

[MnFish1]

Hey everyone. I’ve recently noticed my blue hippo kind of starting around the tank. I’m curious is this is aggression- I did just add an orange shoulder tang last week. I also read a thread about fish seeing their reflection. I only notice her darting around in the evening oddly enough. Eats like a pig too.

Not sure what you mean 'starting' around the tank. I unfortunately can't see the video - could you do a YouTube link? If you just added that other tang - was it quarantined, etc. It almost sounds like the fish is establishing new territory with the other one - however, without QTing your new fish it's hard to know whether something has been introduced into the tank.

One more question. If I were to pull all of my fish out, how big of a tank should I use to QT?

It depends on how large your fish are - i.e. if its a 1.5 inch tang - thats different from a 5 inch tang

 

[Semper.Reefing]

Not sure what you mean 'starting' around the tank. I unfortunately can't see the video - could you do a YouTube link? If you just added that other tang - was it quarantined, etc. It almost sounds like the fish is establishing new territory with the other one - however, without QTing your new fish it's hard to know whether something has been introduced into the tank.

It depends on how large your fish are - i.e. if its a 1.5 inch tang - thats different from a 5 inch tang

Oops that was a typo, “darting” around the tank. I haven’t QT’d any of these fish which I’m starting to kick myself in the butt for. Even though my other fish have no issues. I stated in a previous reply my list of fish. At this point after reading more into the QT process. I’m considering setting up a hospital tank for all. And I understand it will require a lot of work. I’d just like the peace of mind that I won’t run into issues in the future. From now on I will QT all of my fish before adding.

 

[Jekyl]

Oops that was a typo, “darting” around the tank. I haven’t QT’d any of these fish which I’m starting to kick myself in the butt for. Even though my other fish have no issues. I stated in a previous reply my list of fish. At this point after reading more into the QT process. I’m considering setting up a hospital tank for all. And I understand it will require a lot of work. I’d just like the peace of mind that I won’t run into issues in the future. From now on I will QT all of my fish before adding.

As mentioned before all current fish must also undergo quarantine as well as the fallow period for the tank. Otherwise future quarantine would be moot.

 

[Paul B]

As mentioned before all current fish must also undergo quarantine as well as the fallow period for the tank. Otherwise future quarantine would be moot.

My tank is Moot.

 

[Semper.Reefing]

As mentioned before all current fish must also undergo quarantine as well as the fallow period for the tank. Otherwise future quarantine would be moot.

Yeah for this reason I plan to set up a hospital tank so I can treat everyone and let the tank run fallow. I plan on adding more fish than what I currently have and just want to be sure that everyone will be alright. A friend ended up giving me a 60 breeder. Getting some plastic bio balls to seed in my sump as well as a sponge filter. Going to be a lot of work! But I can manage for a few months if it means having the peace of mind for years to come

 

[MnFish1]

My tank is Moot.

yes - it is - in this topic unfortunately. There is a reason that the numbers of people successful as new reefers do not have the same success as you - and there are numbers of reasons for this - mainly being no access to the things routinely used in your tank.

Edit - IMHO - it's really hard for any one aquarist to suggest that their methods will cure all problems - whether it's someone who does routine quarantine - or someone who does not.