[thezookeeper]

Hi guys. I'm looking for possibilities here. I've had my hippo tang for only about 2 1/2 weeks. Before that, the LFS has him about 2 weeks. No ick then, looked great. Brought him home. Acclimated as usual. Introduced. No problems. A couple days later I noticed what appeared to be a scratch on one side. He was still acting normal, eating very well. The scratch seemed to heal and go away rather quickly. A couple days later again, this time on the opposite side, I noticed something else. A patch of white, possibly a physical injury, it's hard to tell. Doesn't look fuzzy. I notice this guy sleeping under a rock on his side, so I figured that maybe he's still getting used to the tank. Again, he was still acting normally and eating well. The next day (about three days ago) I noticed his top most fin seemed a tad ragged in one place. Looked again like a physical thing. I've witnessed this fish with all tank inhabitants at length and saw no aggression whatsoever! All other fish appeared fine. Still eating normally at this time. Ok, long story short (too late)...last night I come home to fine him letting the current carry him around the aquarium on his side. Did not eat, appeared listless, and one of his eyes looks quite different than the other. This fish is only a tad bit bigger than a quarter. So he's small. I prepare my Q tank and isolate him. Still won't eat, still lies on his side, will occasionally do a nose-to-the ground move almost vertical. Still lets the current take him. The only recourse I had last night was to treat the tank with a Wardley product called Complete Remedy. It's all I had access to. This morning he was alive, but still the same. I'm not sure if he has popeye as well, but something is way wrong. I'm thinking of Maracyn Two as treatment. That white patch is still there too. But I wonder what the heck this could be and does anyone have any other suggestions? Could this be physical damage? Or bacterial, fungal, parasitic? I appreciate you reading this long post. This is just so frustrating. Thank you.

[organicreefer]

that sucks the first tang i had was a tiny hippo...it died of ich i did everything i could ...i think that the tiny hippos are just really hard.......ive heard a couple other people say the same.some people wont buy cleaner wrasses........i will never buy a hippo under 3 inches.
jme.i think that hippos are especially prone to getting scratches because they scare easily and might bump the rocks once in a while........how is he tonight?

[naser]

i have one too.. try a vitamin supplement in his food and maybe that new galic stuff..

[scubadude]

You poor thing, you have been takin through the mill w/this fish! Is this the same one you where asking about a few days ago? Is he eating yet? I think you have most areas covered here girl! I agree with above post....young small hippos are very vulnerable, and they definately need some vitamin supplements in their food (Zoecon, Selcon) and try feeding them different greens too....like spinach, brocolli, leaf lettuce just soak it in a vitamin supplement first....your explanation of fin tears is definately a decrease in health and a great sign to show it....unfortunately with this guy being so small it also makes me wonder if he is ill from Poison collection methods anyway...try and keep us informed on how he is doing, and keep an eye out for your other fish....especially any other tangs!

[GregD]

Zookeeper,

I am very sorry to hear your hippo isn't doing well...I know you have been excited to care for this fish since you first got it.

In the past I purchased a tang (naso) that went through the same types of symptoms. Unfortunately, the fish did not make it...

I tried for the life of me to figure out what it was and eventually came to the conclusion that it was the result of poison collection methods (this was based on descibing the floating/head down/tail up behavior). This can be indicative of cyanide or other poisoning.

I agree with Scubadude with both the potential cause and recommended solutions....if you can get it to eat is the key...especailly if you can get it some viatamin supplements while it tries to battle through the sickness.

You may also try melafix to help the fish's natural coat and protect against infection...this won't however kill an existing infection. I have used this in the past with tangs in particular and they respond well.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Greg D

[thezookeeper]

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone. But I'm sad to say that poor Hippo is gone. He was eating like a pig each day I've had him. I always, always use Selcon or Vitachem and garlic in food. He was getting all kinds of good food. And he ate every bit. Just suddenly, this all happened and he was dead the next morning. That's it. I put him in a q-tank (matched everything exactly in main tank) and tried to get him to eat. No good. It was a sudden death. No symptoms prior. I do not think the scratch had anything to do with it whatsoever. I really suspect cyanide. It came about so suddenly. I love the store I got him from for corals. But unfortunately, this is the third fish I've got from them and the third and final sudden death. The first two fish were both lawnmower blennies. These are the only marine fish I've ever lost and I'm really bummed. But I know I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I followed all the right steps. All of my other fish are fine. It will be a while before I get another fish. I'm very choosey and always try and make the right decision. I just loved that little guy. But I'll definately obtain a larger hippo if I decide to try again in the future. And it will be from a different store, that's for sure. Thanks again all. I appreciate the support.

[naser]

sorry to hear about that.. id ask them to ask there supplier if there is a problem.